BJP takes on Nitish, says 'jungle raj' has returned to Bihar

Launching a frontal attack on the Nitish Kumar-led government in Bihar, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah on Friday said 'jungle-raj' had returned to the state after his party's split with the Janata Dal (United).

"As soon as the JD (U) broke the alliance with the BJP, 'jungle raj' returned in Bihar. This is 'jungle raaj' two. We will work very hard and he (Amit Shah) was sure that the people of Bihar will give another chance to the BJP," said Minister of State for Environment and Forests, Prakash Javadekar, while briefing the media about the discussions which took place in the BJP's national executive.

"Our president was very clear and appealed to the national executive that Bihar will go to polls. It's an important election. Last time the people of Bihar had given the mandate to BJP and JDU, but JDU ditched the mandate and went out of the alliance," he added.

The BJP, which suffered a humiliating defeat in the Delhi Assembly elections, is putting great emphasis on its preparedness for the Bihar assembly elections later this year.

The party, which faces a formidable opponent in the Nitish Kumar-Lalu Yadav-Congress combine, enjoys the support of Ram Vilas Paswan-led Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) in Bihar.

Eyeing big gains in Bihar where it has so far been a minor player, the party may also reach out to Dalit leader and former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi to bolster its chances in the state.

The political battle in Bihar has a personal element for Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the JD (U) had snapped ties with the BJP over his selection as the prime ministerial candidate for the Lok Sabha polls last year.

The BJP, which is aiming to wrest power on its own for the first time ever in Bihar, had along with its allies won 31 out of 40 Lok Sabha seats in the state last year.