The BJP and JD(U) appeared set for imminent parting of ways in Bihar tomorrow when Chief Minister Nitish Kumar meets his top party leaders to take a final call in the wake of Narendra Modi's elevation.
Further hints of the break-up in the 17-year-old alliance were given today by senior JD(U) leader Shivanand Tiwari who said the announcement of a split was a "mere formality".
As JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav arrived in Patna, the Chief Minister held parleys with other leaders, including MPs and MLAs. Yadav and Nitish have already been authorised by the party National Council to take a decision on the alliance with BJP in case Modi is projected by the party.
The deterioration in ties was evident when Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi and Bihar NDA Convenor Nand Kishore Yadav, both BJP leaders, today spurned an invitation from Nitish for a round of discussions on the current political situation.
The BJP also appeared ready for the inevitable when senior leader Ravishankar Prasad told reporters that while it was maintaining restraint and wanted the alliance to continue in the interest of Bihar, it was "awaiting" the decision of JD(U).
Tiwari, who is widely perceived to reflect Nitish's views, also dubbed Modi as an "arrogant" and "divisive personality" who cannot take all sections along.
He said after what Nitish Kumar had said yesterday, there was nothing left in the alliance to be saved. "It's (announcement of a split) only a formality," he said in clear indications of things to come.
"We have been looking for a categorical assurance that Narendra Modi will not be the prime ministerial candidate in whatsoever situation, but that has not been forthcoming from them (BJP) during talks to save the NDA," the senior JD(U) leader told PTI.
"Let it be clear once and for all that the BJP has forced the JD(U) to walk out of the alliance by being not forthcoming on Modi's future role," he said.
