Battle-ready in Bihar: Congress is playing the wait and watch game

Leaders like Tejashwi Yadav, Upendra Kushwaha and Jitan Ram Manjhi are all CM-aspirants

The Assembly polls in Bihar are a year away. There is speculation in Patna and Delhi whether the alliance between the Janata Dal (United), or JD(U), and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will remain until then. Recent comments by election strategist Prashant Kishor, who is also vice-president of the JD(U), on the National Register of Citizens have further roiled the waters. The BJP’s Nityanand Rai, currently a minister of state at the Centre, could be its face for the polls if Kumar were to exit. Sources in the BJP, however, reject the possibility of Kumar walking out of the alliance.