Shiv Sena says BJP "oxygen" for Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, cautions against split

MUMBAI: With JU(U) looking set to walk out of the NDA, Shiv Sena on Thursday sounded a note of caution for Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, saying BJP was like " oxygen" to his government, which could land in "ICU" in the event of a split.


"BJP is like oxygen to the Nitish Kumar government in Bihar as it is for Shiromani Akali Dal government in Punjab," Sena, the BJP's oldest ally, said in party mouthpiece "Saamana".

"Sabse bada rupaiya...sabse badi satta is the norm in present times. When there is adequate oxygen supply to stay in power, why should anyone create problems for themselves and get admitted to the ICU. Be it Nitish Kumar or anybody else," an editorial in the daily newspaper said.

It also said on Thursday's politics was more about "pragmatism and practicality than idealism".

Underlining the importance of Hindu votes, the editorial said, "Give respect to earn respect. Just like Muslim votes, Hindu votes can also prove to be decisive and this has been illustrated by the Maharajganj Lok Sabha by-poll results."

There were reports suggesting that BJP workers did not actively back JD(U) nominee in Maharajganj leading to his defeat despite a high-profile campaign launched by Nitish Kumar for his confidante and Bihar's Human Resource Minister P K Sahi.

The editorial hit out at the Congress for gloating over the recent developments in the BJP.

"Advani had resigned from all posts in BJP but not as chairman of NDA. If Congress says it is still strong despite TMC and DMK quitting UPA, who told them that NDA has weakened," the editorial said, adding, "it is the Congress which is responsible for weakening of moral values in politics."