BJP in a state of dilemma in Bihar

Though BJP, under the leadership of Nitin Gadkari, has launched an exercise to consolidate its position while pursuing coalition politics, it is in a state of dilemma as far as Bihar is concerned.

The saffron part is in a fix whether to go alone or keep its alliance with JD(U) to regain power in Bihar where assembly elections are slated for October-November.

Differences between BJP and JD(U) on issues like governance, projection of Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi as prime ministerial candidate and failure to rein in Varun Gandhi ahead of the 2009 Lok Sabha polls, are well known.

A section of the saffron party believes its presence has been overshadowed by JD(U) and particularly by Nitish Kumar. This group advocates that the party should contest the assembly elections alone, especially when there has been increase in the urban seats in the delimitation exercise. Some BJP leaders also argue that the party has no scope to grow because of JD (U)’s big brother role.

Leaders, who preferred not to be quoted, agreed that severing ties with JD(U) might prove suicidal. However, they argued that BJP if finally decides to keep its alliance, can extract more seats from JD(U) during seat sharing. “One thing is clear: BJP on its own cannot mobilise muslims, minorities and dalits, while JD(U) cannot afford erosion of upper caste support,” they said.

Bihar deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi, who has a good rapport with Nitish Kumar, asserted that the his party’s over 14 years of alliance with JD(U) would continue and it was on a strong wicket.

“Clearly, JD(U) is in a big brother role. However, BJP has also strengthened its position. I do not see any problem in the continuation of alliance and thereby, win the ensuing assembly polls,” he said. Former civil aviation minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy said, “The alliance will continue to be in place as both the parties are confident to come back to power.”