The Janata Dal (United) on Sunday asked its alliance partner, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), to rein in its leaders from making adverse comments against party chief and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar as “it would not be a good sign for the grand alliance”.
The warning comes as tensions between the allies have risen after Mr. Kumar voiced his support for the NDA’s presidential nominee, Ram Nath Kovind, breaking ranks with other Opposition parties. In a swift response, RJD chief Lalu Prasad sent a message to party leaders to refrain from any attack on the JD(U). His younger son and Deputy Chief Minister, Tejaswi Yadav, said there was a “Himalayan unity” in the grand alliance.
JD(U) State chief Basistha Narayan Singh’s warning followed the statement of RJD leaders Raguvansh Prasad Singh and Bhai Birendra accusing Mr. Kumar of abandoning alliance partners for his own political interests.
“Our party has taken serious note of RJD leaders’ statements … I’d ask the RJD to rein in its leaders; otherwise, it will not be a good sign for the grand alliance,” Mr Singh told presspersons.
Earlier on Saturday, Mr. Tejaswi Yadav commented on Mr. Kumar’s statement, saying the “Presidential election is not a walkout match”.
