Bihar Political Crisis: BJP Accuses Nitish Kumar of Indulging in 'Horse Trading'

BJP has accused JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar of "horse trading" in a bid to become the Chief Minister of Bihar. The accusation can be seen as a response by the party to Kumar's Tuesday's statement in which he had said that the BJP was indulging in "horse trading".

"No one is a bigger horse-trader than Nitish Kumar. He has been indulging in such activities earlier too. He has no faith in constitutional authorities or his own MLAs whose support he is claiming himself to be become the Chief Minister. He should wait for the Governor's decision," PTI quoted BJP Spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain as saying.

BJP's remark came after Kumar paraded his MLAs to Delhi to meet the President over the political crisis in Bihar. Former Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Sushil Modi said that flying down to Delhi with at least 130 of his MLAs was just a "political drama".

On Tuesday, Kumar had accused BJP of taking advantage of the delay in the decision over CM and buying JD(U) MLAs.

"The way a decision is being delayed is a clear indication that purchasing of MLAs is being done at the behest of the Centre. Intention is clear and this is to not allow formation of the majority government. We will tell the President that this will only encourage horse-trading," Kumar had said on Wednesday.

Ever since the political crisis over the position of CM began in the state, BJP - taking advantage of the political unrest – began slamming Kumar and RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav - who is allegedly playing "dirty politics" and disrespecting constitutional authorities.

The fight within JD(U) began after Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi was asked to step down and let Kumar take his position in the wake of assembly elections that are expected to be held towards year-end.

Manjhi, however, refused to succumb to party's demand and challenged Kumar and other party leaders to replace him. He was expelled from the party for six years for rebellion. Both Kumar and Manjhi are waiting for Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi's desicion on government formation, for which they had approached him after the tussle began.

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