Nitish has lost political credibility: NCP leader

Senior NCP leader Tariq Anwar today said Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had lost political credibility following his return to the BJP-led NDA last year and his going over to the Congress-led UPA seemed "unlikely".

The Katihar MP also said he agreed with RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav's contention that there was "no guarantee" that the JD(U) chief would not do yet another turnaround in the future if his re-entry (into the Grand Alliance, comprising the Congress and the RJD) was allowed.

"Nitish Kumar is facing problems in the NDA. He feels that the BJP-led coalition may not leave as many seats for the JD(U) to contest (in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls) as he desires...as of now, there is not even a formal proposal (about Kumar's return to the Grand Alliance)," Anwar told reporters.

He was replying to a query on reports of Kumar's dissatisfaction with the NDA, speculation about his return to the "Mahagathbandhan" (Grand Alliance) and the assertion of RJD heir apparent Tejashwi Yadav that the "door is closed" for the JD(U) chief.

Asked about Yadav's recent remarks on the issue, Anwar said, "The RJD is the largest constituent in the Grand Alliance. What it says will carry weight. We agree with Tejashwi's view that Kumar's political credibility has eroded on account of his volte-face and hence, his return to the Mahagathbandhan seems unlikely."
"Our party will stage a dharna in Delhi in August to press the demand. We also appeal to all the opposition parties to make the special status an election plank in the Lok Sabha polls next year."