Amidst swirling speculations suggesting potential discord within Bihar's ruling 'Mahagathbandhan', Chief Minister Nitish Kumar made an appearance at the high tea event held at the Raj Bhavan in Patna on Republic Day, noticeably alongside his deputy, Tejashwi Yadav of the RJD, who was conspicuously absent.
Taking the seat adjacent to Kumar's was senior JD(U) leader and minister Ashok Kumar Choudhary, who reportedly removed the slip bearing Yadav's name before occupying the chair. Beside Choudhary sat Vijay Kumar Sinha, the Leader of the Opposition in the assembly from the BJP, engaging in friendly exchanges with Kumar.
The high tea gathering was organized in commemoration of Republic Day, drawing notable attendees, including education minister Alok Kumar Mehta, who also serves as a national general secretary of the RJD. However, Yadav and several other party figures, including Speaker Awadh Bihari Chaudhary, were notably absent from the event.
When approached with inquiries regarding Yadav's absence, Kumar tersely responded, "Ask those who did not turn up," before departing for his official residence.
Speculation abounds regarding Kumar's purported discontent within the Mahagathbandhan, a coalition that encompasses the Congress and the RJD, with support from three Left parties from the outside.
Rumors have also surfaced suggesting Kumar's contemplation of a return to the BJP-led NDA fold, although BJP leaders have maintained that the doors are currently "closed" for the JD(U) chief.
JD(U) officials have reiterated their commitment to the opposition coalition INDIA. However, when questioned by journalists post-event, Sinha, present at a Bihar BJP leaders' meeting convened at Union Home Minister Amit Shah's residence in Delhi, refrained from commenting on the purported rift within the Mahagathbandhan, emphasizing the collective decision-making process within the BJP leadership.
Sinha declined to elaborate on the alleged coalition discord, suggesting that inquiries be directed to members of the coalition itself.
