JD-U says Kovind support isolated case, but can affect opposition unity

Even though Bihar's ruling JD-U on Wednesday said its breaking ranks with the opposition on the July 17 Presidential election was an "isolated" case, the development could cast a shadow on a joint front against the NDA government in the 2019 general elections.

The opposition parties will now meet on Thursday to decide on the name of candidate to be pitted against National Democratic Alliance's nominee Ram Nath Kovind.

Janata Dal-United leader K.C. Tyagi said his party's decision was an "isolated incident" and said it will not affect opposition's unity in putting up a joint fight against Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government in 2019.

"We will not attend the meeting but this is an isolated incident. We are, and will continue to be, a part of the greater opposition unity (for 2019 elections)," he said.

Communist Party of India National Secretary D. Raja said though the JD-U move was a setback it should not be read as a crack in opposition unity.

"Already there are cracks in the JD-U. It's Kerala MP Veerendra Kumar has revolted. (Bihar Chief Minister and JD-U chief) Nitish Kumar or the JD-U did not initiate the idea of a united opposition. It was initiated by all opposition parties. It was a collective initiative. If one party goes, it doesn't mean the opposition unity has cracked," Raja said.

A senior Congress leader, who did not wish to be named, said opposition leaders were not happy with JD-U's decision to back the NDA nominee.

He said such moves will have a bearing on the unity efforts against the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA in 2019.

The leader said there was a view that opposition unity for Presidential election could be a precursor to a broad united front of opposition parties ahead of the next Lok Sabha polls.

Congress Spokesperson Ajoy Kumar said it would have been better if JD-U had conveyed its choice at the Thursday meeting.

"Nitish ji took the initiative for the opposition Presidential candidate. It was he who was talking to everybody. Different opposition leaders have their own perspectives. Those are their views. He (Nitish) also supported demonetisation. We should respect it. Had he put his views at the June 22 meeting, it would have been elegant," Kumar said.

However, he too said, the development should not be viewed as a setback for prospects of opposition unity ahead of the 2019 elections.

--IANS

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