"It surprises me...": RJD's Shivanand Tiwari amid speculation of rift between JDU, RJD

Patna (Bihar) [India], January 26 (ANI): Amid the uncertainty in the political corridors of Bihar over the possible alliance of Janata Dal-United (JDU) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), as speculations are on the rise that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar could cross over to the NDA again, RJD leader Shivanand Tiwari said on Friday that it 'surprises' him how one's conscience allows one to go back to the place where one was reportedly 'insulted'.
Earlier today, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar attended Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar's 'At Home' reception event at the Raj Bhavan in Patna. However, Deputy Chief Minister and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav skipped the event, while Alok Mehta, a cabinet minister was present there.
"We have seen what kind of language was used by the Bihar BJP President for Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in the past. It surprises me how one's conscience allows one to go back there," Tiwari told reporters, adding that nothing is clear as yet.
"Nothing is clear as yet. Let us wait for the details on why he (CM Kumar) went to the Raj Bhavan," the RJD veteran added.
He further said that he had sought time from the Chief Minister to meet him.
"I have sought time from the Chief Minister for today. He even said that he would call me," Shivanand Tiwari said.
Currently, the ruling JD(U)-RJD-Congress alliance in Bihar is on the verge of collapse over the speculation that Nitish Kumar could cross over to the NDA again.
Rashtriya Lok Janata Dal (RLJD) president Upendra Kushwaha on Friday took a jibe at Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, saying that even if the latter leaves the ruling 'Mahagathbandhan' (grand alliance), what is the guarantee that he would stay with the Bharatiya Janata Party after the Lok Sabha elections? The former ally of the Bihar Chief Minister told ANI that it is true that Kumar is considering leaving his current alliance.
"There is talk that he may join the NDA alliance. It is true that CM Nitish Kumar is considering leaving the (INDIA alliance). If he joins the NDA, the big question is whether he will stay with the NDA after the elections or not. What is the guarantee that he will not leave the NDA alliance after the Lok Sabha elections?" Kushwaha said.
"A change is certain. It is a matter of a short time now. In the BJP yesterday, the party has also took a decision. Nitish Ji is also ready. PM Modi also likes Nitish Ji. NDA will win all 40 seats in Bihar if Nitish Ji joins us. I think everything will get sorted out in two days. There will be an NDA government in Bihar," BJP MLA Gyanendra Singh Gyanu told ANI.
Earlier, Lalu's daughter Rohini Acharya took a swipe at RJD's ruling ally, JDU, on X, posting that while the 'socialist party' (JDU) styles itself as progressive, its ideology shifts with the changing wind patterns, a statement that triggered cracks within the ruling alliance.
However, a few hours later, all three posts by Lalu's daughter were deleted.
Earlier on Wednesday, on the occasion of Jan Nayak Karpoori Thakur's birth centenary celebrations, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar launched a scathing attack on Congress saying, "Karpoori Thakur never promoted his family. Taking inspiration from him, I too have never promoted any member of my family. But today, people are promoting dynastic politics."
Giving more weight to the possible entry of Nitish Kumar into NDA, Bharatiya Janata Party MP and former Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar, Sushil Kumar Modi on Friday said that doors are never closed "permanently" in politics.
"In yesterday's meeting, strategies for (the upcoming) Lok Sabha elections were discussed. But as far as Nitish Kumar and JD(U) are concerned, doors are never closed permanently in politics. Now our central leadership will decide whether the door will open or not," Sushil Modi told reporters before returning to Patna.
Sushil Modi was Deputy Chief Minister in the NDA government in Bihar in 2022, before Janata Dal (United) supremo Nitish Kumar severed ties with the ally BJP and partnered with the RJD and the Congress again.(ANI)