Shiv Sena, JD(U) shocked; NDA can’t come to power now, says TMC

DELHI/PATNA/KOLKATA/CHENNAI: LK Advani’s resignation shook up NDA, with allies like JD(U) saying they might have to reconsider being part of the alliance. Terming Advani’s resignation as a “serious issue” which is “not good for NDA health”, JD (U) president and NDA convenor Sharad Yadav hinted at his party’s intentions of formalizing the break up with alliance partner BJP.


“I am deeply saddened by the resignation of Advaniji. Because NDA was forged with the efforts of Atalji and Advaniji. For us, Advani’s exit means that we have to rethink the NDA and our position in it,” Yadav told ET.

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, who has openly expressed reservations about Modi’s PM bid, said the party would meet to frame a response to the crisis. “We have taken cognizance of what has been happening in BJP. We will call a meeting of the party functionaries for discussing the whole issue before spelling out our own appropriate response.”

Another ally Shiv Sena termed Advani’s decision as “painful”. “Uddhav Thackeray has said that the contribution of Advani and former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee in building the party was invaluable for both BJP and the NDA,” Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut said. SAD was the only NDA ally that didn’t express “shock” or “pain” over Advani’s decision. SAD was measured in its response.

Terming the resignation as an internal party matter, deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal said, “Akali Dal is with BJP, we have nothing to do with Advani’s resignation.” Trinamool Congress leader Sougato Roy felt that Advani’s resignation will jeopardise BJP’s prospects of coming to power in Delhi. AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa termed Advani’s resignation as the internal matter of BJP.

“Politically, I do not think it would be proper for me to make any kind of comment on it,” she said earlier in the day in Chennai.