Bihar CM likely to take decision on Tejashwi Yadav today

Patna: With Presidential elections over, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar may take a final call on the removal of deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav.

Party leaders have already hinted the chief minister will take a final decision after Tuesday. On Monday, Mr Yadav brushed aside questions on growing demands for his resignation.

“My resignation is not an issue. The BJP and media have created a hype.” Mr Kumar, during a meeting last week, said he wanted a public clarification from RJD top leaders over the allegations, and also indicated he expected Mr Yadav to resign from the post.

The rift in the alliance deepened when RJD chief Lalu Yadav rejected Mr Kumar’s demand, and said, “Tejashwi Yadav will not step down under any circumstances.”

The party leaders said the Congress and other senior leaders from within the alliance have started coming forward to mediate between Mr Kumar and Mr Lalu Yadav. On Sunday, Congress state president Ashok Chaudhary was held a series of talks with both the leaders. Though none of the top JD (U) leaders gave any statement, party MLA Shyam Sunder Singh said, “It would be better if our party decides to break the alliance today. We love to work with the BJP”.

Analysts say some of Mr Kumar’s recent decisions hint at what he has been thinking. Mr Kumar has already cancelled his trip to New Delhi where he was expected to hold a national executive meeting of his party.

Mr Lalu Yadav may ask all 11 ministers from the RJD, including his two sons, to resign and provide an external support to the JD (U) to save the alliance in Bihar.

BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi urged Mr Nitish Kumar to “stand firm on his ground”. The senior BJP leader also thanked him for his extending support to BJP’s presidential nominee Ram Nath Kovind.

Earlier, Mr Modi said the “parliamentary board is keeping a close watch on these development, and any decision by the party will depend upon the situation.”