New Delhi:Ending speculations about his party’s widening rift with the JD(U), BJP chief Amit Shah said on Thursday the alliance was “firm” and will contest the next Bihar Assembly elections under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, remarks hailed by the coalition partner.
Shah was also dismissive of the “anban” (bickering) between the two alliance constituents, saying it was a sign of a “healthy” coalition.
“The coalition is atal (firm). The NDA will contest assembly polls under the leadership of Nitish Kumar in Bihar. Nationally, it is Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will continue to lead the coalition,” Shah told TV channel News18.
He was asked if the BJP is considering fighting the state election, slated to be held by the end of next year, on its own.
Kumar, who is also the JD(U) president, has been at the receiving end of criticism from some BJP leaders, including Union Minister Giriraj Singh, over a host of issues, the latest being the unprecedented “man made” water logging in parts of Patna.
