At UP rally, Nitish Kumar plays safe, makes no mention of Mayawati

Bihar chief minister and JD(U) supremo Nitish Kumar on Tuesday shared the dais with former BSP leader R.K. Chaudhary in Lucknow but surprisingly did not utter a word against the BSP or its president Mayawati.

The crowds that had gathered at the Bijli Pasi Qila to mark the anniversary of dalit icon Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj were seemingly disappointed to find the Bihar chief minister playing so politically correct and safe.

Mr Nitish Kumar, while addressing the rally, said that reservation was needed in all sectors to ensure the progress of the Bahujan Samaj Party. Recalling the work he had done to ensure the upliftment of weaker sections, he said that a lot remained to be done.

“Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj was the first to introduce reservation in his kingdom but the community still needs support to stand on its own feet. All of us must come together and work relentlessly for the Bahujan Samaj,” he said.

He said that those from the weaker sections — whether they are lawyers, officers or teachers — must lend a helping hand to their weakier brothers and sisters. “Our efforts must continue till the last man in the line gets his due,” he stated.

Mr Nitish Kumar promised to work with Mr Chaudhary, one of the founding members of the BSP who resigned from the party earlier this month, accusing Ms Mayawati of running the party like a “real estate company.”

“R.K. Chaudhary is carrying forward the work started by Dr Ambedkar and Kanshi Ram and I will be working in this mission with him,” he added.

Mr Nitish Kumar, however, maintained a studious silence on Ms Mayawati and the recent controversies involving her. His silence indicates that the JD(U) leader is keeping his options open in Uttar Pradesh.

Earlier, Mr Kumar was made to wait for almost three hours at a guest house because district officials claimed that there could a be a threat to his security at the rally ground which was over crowded.

Later, on an undertaking given by organisers, Mr Kumar was allowed to proceed for the rally. Mr Kumar said he was held up in attending the rally by those who claim to be followers of Lohia.