BJP, JD-U squabble in Bihar on claims of rift in ruling party

BJP today claimed that JD(U) in Bihar was headed for a split between two power centres led by the incumbent Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi and his predecessor Nitish Kumar even as the ruling party trashed the remarks saying they "lacked substance".

"Both the incumbent chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi and his predecessor Nitish Kumar are speaking in contradictory voices and so are some ministers owing allegiance to the two leaders, giving an impression that the JD(U) is headed for a split," former deputy chief minister and senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi told PTI.

There was also confusion in the ruling party ranks as to who will lead its campaign for the next assembly polls, he said, adding that some ministers close to the present chief minister have publicly said that the elections will be fought under Manjhi's leadership even as the former chief minister Nitish Kumar had got a resolution passed by the party that he will lead the campaign next time.