JD(U) 'firmly' with the NDA; alliance intact: party general secy

The ruling JD(U) in Bihar Friday asserted that the NDA in the state was "intact", dismissing speculation of a rift within the alliance in the wake of the party's decision to "stay out" of the Narendra Modi government.

The JD(U) is "firmly" in the alliance and speculation about instability are "baseless", the party's national general secretary Ram Chandra Prasad Singh told reporters in Bihar's Sheikhpura district.

Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) president Nitish Kumar had declined to be part of the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre in protest against the "symbolic representation" of one ministerial berth offered to it, but refuted suggestions of any difference with its ally.

Singh, who is the party's leader in the Rajya Sabha, said, "The NDA is intact. Speculation about any political instability are baseless. The JD(U) is firmly in the alliance."
The JD(U) president had said,"The unanimous view (of JD(U) leaders) is that we should stay out of the ministry. Everybody felt there should be proportional representation in an alliance government."