'Masterstroke' of Nitish Kumar leaves oppn in disarray; BJP bewildered

The unanimous resolution passed by the Bihar Assembly against the new format of NPR and NRC with more than 50 BJP MLAs in tow has thrown the opposition Grand Alliance in disarray.

Jitan Ram Manjhi, a bete noire of Kumar, appeared bowled over by Kumar's move as the former told reporters outside the Assembly on Wednesday, "He (Kumar) is most welcome to return to the Grand Alliance.. there will be no confusion over leadership if he comes back. He will be the obvious choice."
Congress MLA Awadhesh Singh echoed the sentiments of Manjhi, saying, "We know that Nitish Kumar is a secular leader who has his roots in the socialist movement. We would be happy if he leaves the NDA and comes back."
Lalu's wife and RJD national vice president Rabri Devi, who is also the leader of the opposition in the legislative council said, "We are not going to have any change of mind (about Nitish Kumar)."
Congress MLC Prem Chandra Mishra, who is also an AICC panelist, also took a sceptical view of Tuesday's development and said, "Nitish Kumar should explain how come he can go on supporting the CAA while being opposed to NPR and NRC. All the three issues are connected."
BJP MLC Sachchidanand Rai, one of the known detractors of Kumar, was visibly peeved when he told a news channel, "I wonder if the party's central leadership was seized of the matter."
State minister Vijay Kumar Sinha, who was in the House when the resolution was passed said, "It would have been better had the members been informed about the resolution in advance."