JD(U) ends ties with BJP, Nitish drops all BJP ministers

PATNA: The 17-year-old chapter of JD(U)-BJP alliance under the banner of NDA ended on Sunday with JD(U) announcing to break ties. Chief minister Nitish Kumar who called on governor DY Patil at Raj Bhavan recommended removal of 11 BJP ministers including deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi while JD(U) president Sharad Yadav announced his resignation as convener of the NDA. Special session of Bihar assembly has been convened on June 19 to seek a vote of confidence. Calling it a black day, BJP's Modi accused JD(U) of 'vishwasghat' (treachery). Modi who held a press conference soon after Nitish's, said the CM should resign on moral grounds since he took oath as leader of NDA. He also gave call for Bihar bandh on June 18 and hold 'Vishwasghat Diwas'. "We have decided not to compromise with the principles. The situation has come to passe that either we compromise or get out. We are ready to face any consequences. Come what may," Nitish announced at a crowded and chaotic press conference after 3pm. Sunday was a day of hectic activities from 1, Anne Marg to Raj Bhavan. The CM called an emergency meeting of the state cabinet at 10.30am which was not attended by the BJP ministers. At the meeting it was decided to convene special session of the assembly on Wednesday, to seek vote of confidence. After that CM, Sharad and other senior leaders as well as ministers held a meeting where all the 'difficult' decisions were taken. The CM then drove to Raj Bhavan and remained closeted with the governor for half an hour. He told Patil about the changing political scenario and recommended dropping of 11 BJP ministers who, he said, were not working despite being ministers. The situation, Nitish said, turned so critical that he was not in favour of continuance of this (situation) even for a few hours. "We are not responsible for this situation but we could read the writings on the wall and took this decision. If we did not take this step, the people would have held us responsible," Nitish said. Announcing that the JD(U) has parted ways with the BJP, Sharad Yadav said on moral grounds he is resigning from the convenership of NDA. "After the consultation, it churned out that sharp differences have cropped up and it is neither in the interest of the JD(U) nor of the BJP. We came to the conclusion that it is now very difficult to move together. The alliance runs on trust and friendship but attempts are being made to bring more mistrust," he said while referring to BJP general secretary Amit Shah's statement in Lucknow that Ram Mandir construction is on party's agenda. A statement released by the party said, we can not compromise on our basic principles, values and our stand on core issues which are central to the ethos of our party. Its total disregard and ominous recent development therefore compel the JD(U) to forthwith terminate and sever its present alliance with the BJP. The people of the country expect no less." The statement said the Goa announcement of the chairmanship of the electoral campaign committee of the BJP has filled all of us with deep apprehensions about the future. "It has left not a shadow of doubt that this is a mere ceremonial prelude to his nomination as prime ministerial candidate. All efforts within the BJP to suggest care and moderation in the process were smothered with the authoritarian cult and imperious disdain. Needless to say that these developments do not augur well for the health of our secular and democratic polity."   Source: TOI