Wary of losing Muslim votes, JD(U) leader and Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar is showing reluctance to join the BJP’s proposed rally in Patna on June 13.
Mr Kumar has not yet confirmed his participation in the rally, for which an invitation was sent almost a fortnight ago. In Bihar, Assembly elections are scheduled in October-November.
The Bihar chief minister had recently said that BJP leaders Narendra Modi and Varun Gandhi were not needed for campaigning for the coming Assembly elections in his state.
The JD(U) and BJP are one of the oldest alliance partners of the NDA. The BJP is organising its two-day-long national executive in Patna from June 12.
Sources in the BJP disclosed if Mr Kumar attends the Bihar Swabhiman rally, he would have to share the platform with Mr Modi and Mr Gandhi.
With Mr Kumar not accepting the invitation for rally, it seems he is reluctant to be seen together with these firebrand saffron leaders. “His opponents are waiting for such an opportunity where they can hit Nitishji for siding with anti-secular forces. With Assembly elections scheduled in the state, he is unlikely to take this risk,” said a senior party functionary.
Sources said Mr Kumar is also reluctant to attend this rally as BJP chief Nitin Gadkari had recently likened RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav to a “dog”, though he had later apologised. The RJD had threatened to organise a strong protest.
A section within the JD(U) feels that the RJD chief might attack Mr Kumar for participating in the rally with Mr Gadkari.
Mr Yadav had attacked Mr Nitish Kumar for sharing the dais with Mr Modi during an NDA rally before the 2009 Lok Sabha polls results were declared. He was seen shaking hands with Mr Modi.
Even during the Lok Sabha polls, Mr Kumar had said that he did not require Mr Modi to campaign for his party, following which Mr Modi, who is considered the BJP’s star campaigner, did not visit Bihar.
In the JD(U) circles, there is a perception that Mr Kumar’s handshaking with Mr Modi cost the party dearly in the Assembly bypolls, which took place immediately after the 2009 general elections.