Patna:
An announcement by Devendra Fadnavis today, warning “anyone” who opposes the upcoming elections to the Bihar assembly of Chirag Paswan’s party, is seen as an indication that the Lok Janashakti Party’s decision to go solo has left the BJP shaken. While Fadnavis, the BJP manager for Bihar pols, did not specify “anyone”, party sources said it was aimed at the BJP rebels, more than six of whom planned to compete on the LJP ticket. Such a situation would lead to a loss of face for the BJP, which is eager to fix things with Nitish Kumar, the five-time chief minister of the state.
Yesterday, following speculation that Chirag Paswan’s move had the tacit support of the BJP, the party seemed eager to calm the Chief Minister’s hurt feelings.
At an evening press conference, several BJP leaders assured that Nitish Kumar would remain the NDA’s Chief Minister, making it clear that Chirag Paswan’s ambitions for the top state post will not be tailored and put in his place. .
BJP chief Sanjay Jaiswal and top leader Sushil Modi tightened the screws, saying that anyone who opposes the NDA will have to accept Nitish Kumar’s leadership and that action will be taken against any candidate other than of the NDA and to be seen seeking votes on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Sanjay Jaiswal even threatened to file a police case against the Lok Janashakti Party if its candidates used the photos of the Prime Minister, who is the BJP’s biggest activist.
In yesterday’s meeting with the media, Sushil Modi and two other key party leaders insisted that Nitish Kumar will remain the prime minister of the NDA.
Among them, Sanjay Jaiswal, Sushil Modi and Bhupendra Yadav insisted 12 times that Nitish Kumar retain his post, flatly contradicting Chirag Paswan’s claims of a BJP-LJP government after the elections.
Sushil Modi, who is also a deputy for Kumar in the state government, said Chirag Paswan could not have taken that step if his father Ram Vilas Paswan, a minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, was present.
Paswan, 74, recently underwent heart surgery and is recovering in hospital.
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