New Delhi/ Patna: Solve problems instead of complaining and avoid unnecessary remarks — Union Home Minister Amit Shah has a simple message for Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) MLAs and MPs in Bihar. It’s being seen as an overture to smoothen the party’s ties with the Nitish Kumar-led Janata Dal (United).
The BJP and the JD(U), the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) allies in Bihar, have often come out against each other on various issues, including the population control policy and the caste census.
Shah, who was in Patna to attend the joint national executive meet of the BJP’s seven national frontal organisations Sunday, used the opportunity to interact with party MLAs and MPs for an hour.
According to party sources, Shah pointed out that the BJP is currently not in a position to contest the general or assembly elections alone in Bihar, but also that it’s open to making a decision if there is a change in the situation.
Sources said that Shah also commented on the violence witnessed during the protests against the Agnipath scheme for armed forces recruitment in June, particularly the ire faced by BJP leaders including state president Sanjay Jaiswal and deputy chief minister Renu Devi.
The Anti-Agnipath protests turned violent in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, with trains being targeted. BJP leaders alleged that the Bihar Police remained mute spectators to the violence. On Sunday, Shah hinted that he had intervened to ensure that the Nitish Kumar government acted against agitators, sources said.
According to party leaders, Shah said, “An angry Bihar BJP leader had telephoned me. I assured him that nothing will happen on Bharat Bandh. The government ensured that nothing happened.”
There were a few BJP MLAs who had complained against the district party leadership, the party insiders said. However, Shah is learnt to have told legislators, “Do not waste your time on negative things. Thousands of BJP workers must have supported you during polls.”
Amid friction with the BJP, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has missed three events in nine days. It was deputy CM Tarkishore Prasad who attended the 17 July meeting of CMs on the hoisting of the national flag in Nitish’s place. The JD(U) chief then skipped a farewell dinner hosted by the PM for outgoing president Ram Nath Kovind on 23 July as well as President Droupadi Murmu’s oath-taking ceremony on 25 July. A day later, the Chief Minister’s Office issued a statement that Nitish had tested Covid-positive.
A BJP MLA told ThePrint, “The chief minister has been facing greater opposition from the BJP than from his rivals on a host of issues. Earlier, it used to be subtle but, of late, both sides are openly criticising each other. Keeping all the issues in mind, the BJP central leadership took the matter into its own hands. After PM Modi, Shah has now asked the state leaders to refrain from making unnecessary comments that put strain on the alliance.”
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BJP alone has not enough numbers
While the BJP emerged as the larger NDA ally with 74 seats to the JD(U)’s 43 (now up to 45) in the 2020 Bihar election, Shah Sunday announced that the party would contest elections with the JD(U) again under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“Amit Shah ji told us to uphold the alliance dharma and also pointed out that we are right now not in a position to contest elections alone, but a decision can be taken if the situation arises. He also said that there is no need to antagonise the ally and, hence, leaders must avoid unnecessary comments and reactions, and the focus should be on strengthening the party at the grassroots level,” the BJP MLA said.
A central BJP leader requesting anonymity said that Shah said the outcome of the 2024 general election would decide what would happen in the state election the following year. “All the leaders have been asked to ensure a huge win for the party in 2024, and the results will play a crucial role in determining what will happen in 2025 (Bihar election). What position BJP will occupy will also be based on that,” said the leader.
The BJP and the JD(U) have been sharing power in Bihar since 2017.
Another state BJP leader said Shah advised the MLAs and MPs to focus on addressing issues instead of complaining. “Shah said that this is an alliance government and such problems happen even in places where BJP is in power alone. ‘Rather than cribbing, focus on resolving the issues. Don’t crib all the time.’ He also asked them to become problem solvers. He cited a few examples and said the public doesn’t respect leaders who always crib,” said the leader.
At the same time, the Bihar unit was asked to continue its efforts to strengthen the party at the ground level.
“For now, we are contesting the elections with JD(U), but the party is also monitoring the situation closely ,and depending on the circumstances, the decision can be changed too,” another BJP MLA told ThePrint. “Our aim is to ensure we are strong in each and every part of Bihar. The alliance with the JD (U) is definitely there, but that does not mean we will not try to strengthen our party.”
(Edited By Tony Rai)
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