The prevailing factionism within Bihar BJP came to surface over distribution of cabinet birth Just ahead of the National Democratic Alliance Government formation. Even as the name of leaders of the other alliance partners who would be inducted in the Nitish cabinet became clear the BJP has postponed the decision in the anticipation of BJP president J P Nadda and home minister Amit Shah arrival in Patna.
It is said that as part of damage limitation exercise the announcement of names will be made in the presence of Shah and Nadda. Interestingly, Amit Shah virtually remained absent form the Assembly election campaign.
This made it amply clear why BJP kept out of the claim for the post of chief minister despite emerging as a biggest partner by far in the just concluded Assembly election. After the result JDU president Nitish Kumar said that he wanted a BJP leader to become chief minister of Bihar but the responsibility was entrusted upon him. His remark is seen as acceptance of his weak position after getting only 43 seats while the saffron party bagged 74 seats.
The new challenge came a day after conflicting reports over incumbent deputy chief minister Sushil Modi’s getting dropped from the new government. However, reports quoting sources have clarified that BJP will install two deputy chief ministers in place of Sushil Modi.
It is being reported that the two-deputy chief minister Tarkishore Prasad and Renu Devi are close to Sushil Modi. Yet, both the deputy chief ministers coming from lower caste has opened the Pandora box.
Now the saffron party is under pressure to accommodate as much Upper caste leaders as possible so as to placate them. Besides, the party has to create a balance in the factions as well. According to latest reports apart from Mangal Pandey, Amrendra Pratap and Givesh Mishra could represent the upper caste in the new formation.
Thus, BJP has to walk on a tightrope to keep its flock together. The saffron party has faced the rebellion of top leaders as many of them switched over to LJP. The removal Sushil Modi could create further rift in the party.
According to reports, Santosh Manjhi, the son Hindustani Awami Morcha president Jitan Ram Manjhi and Vikassheel Insan Party leader Mukesh Sahni are likely to be inducted in the cabinet.
Meanwhile the RJD has decided to stay away from the oath taking ceremony alleging the capture of mandate by NDA.
