Ruling JD(U) in better position to win over MLAs

Patna,(BiharTimes): As the ruling Janata Dal (United) in Bihar drew the first blood by claiming that about a dozen BJP MLAs may cross over to its side political observers are of the view that as JD(U) is the ruling party it is in a better position to lure legislators. There are already 11 seats vacant in the Legislative Council and all the BJP MLAs, who loses membership of the Assembly after defection to JD(U) may be accommodated in the Upper House. Besides, some of them may even get ticket for Lok Sabha election as JD(U) may, most likely, go it alone in all the 40 seats.

The problem with BJP and Janata Dal (United) is that they had such a long relationship that many people would consider the latter as the B-team of the former. There are many couples and other close relatives who were in two different constituents of the NDA then. If the husband is in JD(U) the wife may be in BJP or vice versa. There was mutual understanding in such cases. So there is every likelihood of more such crossing-overs.

In several cases Nitish reportedly influenced the BJP to get his own party leader the saffron party ticket under the seat-sharing arrangement. As such, these legislators were in all practical purpose in JD(U) amd they would surely like to go back to their own party.

Take the case of Sanjay Jha, a very close associate of Nitish Kumar. But he was a BJP MLC till a few months back (when his term expired) though he had no relationship with the saffron party as such.

The BJP leaders are putting up a brave face and are saying that they were expecting three or four such MLAs to go over to JD(U).

It is the fear of ‘defection’ which compelled the BJP to walk out during the no-trust motion on June 19 last rather than take part in the voting. It then apprehended that some of its MLAs may vote for JD(U) even at the cost of disqualification.

What is strange is that Nitish is working on splitting BJP and not RJD, which has just 22 MLAs. If it manages to win 15 of its MLAs it would be two-thirds, which is enough for causing split in the RJD legislative party.

BJP sources said that JD(U) is trying to take revenge from the saffron party, which has 91 MLAs, and at the same time distract the attention from revolt like situation within.

However, independent analysts question the timing of the JD(U) move as the state is in the state of shock over the death of so many children. It seems that the ruling party leaders in Bihar has no heart, one of them commented.