After poll setbacks, BJP says open to all options in Bihar

NEW DELHI: With Bihar going to polls later this year, BJP chief Amit Shah on Thursday said the party has not taken a decision yet on forging an alliance with non-NDA parties in the politically-crucial state and that all options were open.

"No decision has been taken on an alliance with any party in Bihar. As of now, we have our allies in NDA. As far as tying up with others is concerned, we have not decided yet. All our options are open," Shah said when asked if BJP would ally with former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi's outfit to take on the united 'Janata Parivar'.

Manjhi, a Mahadalit leader, recently formed a political front called 'Hindustan Awaam Morcha' after he stepped down from the chief minister's post following a bitter feud with the JD(U) leadership, particularly CM Nitish Kumar. There is speculation in political circles about his outfit joining the NDA for the Bihar polls to ensure Mahadalit votes to its kitty. BJP had backed Manjhi in his fight against Nitish, after which Majhi left JD(U) and floated his own party.

Asked about Congress's repeated attacks on his party, he said the opposition party had lost in every election held recently and its tally remained between zero and single-digits. "The elections in Bihar are nearing, we will see how it fares there," he said.

On his plan to hold a dharna over the drug menace in the SAD-BJP ruled Punjab, Shah said he had not dropped his plan and that it was only "rescheduled".

"I have only rescheduled it. Instead of a dharna, I intend to take out a yatra to highlight the drug menace. I will announce my plans after some time," he said.