Bihar BJP president and Lok Sabha MP Sanjay Jaiswal says Chief Minister Nitish Kumar felt offended by the BJP raising issue of illegal liquor being sold in the state. Explaining reasons for the end of BJP-JD(U)coalition, Jaiswal refutes Kumar's claim that the BJP was trying to cause a friction in JD(U). Excerpts from the interview:
What is the reason for BJP's break-up with Bihar CM Nitish Kumar?
If you look at his tenure with us, it was exceptional. People trusted us. They gave us a mandate. He now suffers from megalomania. He thinks he can be the PM. Whatever has happened is before the people. This time, our government was formed in 2020. When the issue of illegal liquor came up, we said it is the same mafia which looted the state before 2005 (during Lalu Prasad Yadav regime). Nitish ignored the fact that illegal liquor was being sold. Not a single day goes by when crime don't happen; incidents have been reported from all over the state. He felt offended that we were raising these issues. When 15 people died in my area after consuming spurious liquor, and I visited the area, and he didn't like it. These issues were going on between us. Earlier, when things were fine, we didn't raise any issue. Nitish cannot listen to anyone, but everyone should adhere to him like slaves. BJP is led by Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and J.P. Nadda; if we are in coalition, and there are issues, we will raise them.
You also raised the issue of increased terror activities in the state. Did it have an impact?
If you pick up any terror issue in the country, all had their links with Bihar. There have been several incidents in the state, but were soft-pedalled. When PM came, we were told that there could be repeat of Hunkar rally (bomb blasts had taken in rally in 2013), so we kept it low key. A terror module was busted (in Phulwari Sharif), and NIA is investigating it. In this module, some key officers of the government could be involved. The vote bank is with Tejashwi Yadav, so both (Nitish and Tejashwi), in order to save the vote bank, came together.
Nitish Kumar says BJP made attempt to break his party, and were consistent in criticism.
When he separated from Lalu Prasad Yadav in 2017, he used the same dialogues. It is a wrong allegation that we were going break his party. It is his habit to use and throw leaders who were close (to him). He did it with George Fernandes, Digvijay Singh, Sharad Yadav, Lalan Singh, and R.C.P. Singh. When R.C.P. Singh was party president, he used to tour the state and hold dialogues with the cadre. This caused suspicion in Kumar.
When RJD, along with friendly parties, was near the majority mark, and had more seats than JD(U), why did they accept Nitish as CM?
In 2007 and 2008, Nitish, through Lalan Singh, had given so many proofs to investigating agencies against the Lalu family. Both Lalu and Tejashwi understands the person who has given proof against them was the one who could save them. If Tejashwi is CM, then who would have saved him from ED; they think only Nitish can save them. Though their alliance may appear strong, if ED cases were to be dropped, then Tejashwi will dump him.
Nitish Kumar talks about bringing unity in opposition ranks. Will he be successful?
He wanted to be the vice president. The person who is so unpredictable, who takes frequent U-turns, I doubt if any political party will trust him. But Congress' position is different. Its leadership, like Tejashwi, is accused in ED cases. Both have to go to jail someday. Even Sonia Gandhi would like to know how Nitish will save Tejashwi, as this will help them in the future.
How will this impact the 2024 elections?
We had won 32 seats without the support of JD(U) in 2014. Today we are at 17. We will get 36 plus seats in 2024. Nitish won't even open account. We will get two-thirds majority in 2025.
Nitish's partymen say he is PM material?
He is so malleable material that he can go in either mold. Who will trust him.
You think Tejashwi will be CM candidate in 2025 campaign?
There is something good for us in this whole episode. Tejashwi used to say in the first cabinet he would approve 10 lakh jobs, and confirm jobs for contractual employees. A big chunk of state voters were enticed because of it. Now, he will get exposed. BJP will get good results in future.
What are BJP's plans in the coming days?
Our programmes are going on uninterrupted. We have workers at 63,000 booths across the state. In
200 constituencies, we held 21 programmes, where leaders from outside the state participated and engaged with people.
You think the regional parties are feeling threatened because of BJP's aggressive approach, as the issue was raised in last national executive meeting?
The way Modi is working and BJP's pan-India base is increasing, all regional parties are under stress.
