Tomorrow’s meet to help Nitish Kumar tighten grip over party

NEW DELHI: The Janata Dal (United)’s national executive meeting, scheduled to be held in Patna on August 19, is all set to strengthen Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar’s grip over his party and enable him to independently handle JDU’s relations with its new ally BJP not only in the state but also at the national level.

With senior leader Sharad Yadav going against the party line on the tie-up with BJP, JDU has no other leader of CM Nitish Kumar’s stature within the party organisation. Although the Sharad Yadav faction could not get any support from party leaders, including MLAs, in Bihar, it has also called a meeting of party workers in Patna on August 19. JDU leaders now expect rival RJD to lend support to the Sharad Yadav faction in the state.

“The national executive committee will endorse the decision to form the state government with BJP’s support. It will also pave the way for JDU to become part of NDA. It is but natural for the party to get ministerial berths in the central government,” a Janata Dal (United) member told ET on condition of anonymity.

The national executive is expected to authorise Kumar to select leaders of his choice to become ministers in the central government, the JDU member said.

“Nitish Kumar has given a good share to BJP in his ministry in the state. So, JDU has reasons to hope for important departments in the central government,” the Janata Dal (United) member said.

He said it wouldn’t be surprising if Nitish Kumar were to be offered a good position such as that of convenor within the NDA.

JDU’s Ramchandra & Ram Nath likely to join Union Council of Ministers
AHMEDABAD: JDU sources said Ramchandra Prasad Singh — called as RCP in JDU camp and considered close to chief minister Nitish Kumar — and Ram Nath Thakur, son of Bihar’s former chief minister Karpoori Thakur (popularly known as Jan Nayak), may become ministers from JDU quota in the central government.