Centre may offer cabinet berths to JD(U) leaders who may join Cong

Patna: Amid rumours that a few members of Nitish Kumar-led Janata Dal (United) have registered their protest against his decision to join hands with the BJP, the Centre has decided to offer cabinet berths to JD(U) leaders.

According to sources in New Delhi, the Centre has decided to offer two cabinet berths to MPs, who may leave JD(U) and join hands with Congress party to form a larger secular alliance against the BJP.

Insiders said Sharad Yadav’s name may figure in the list of cabinet ministers. JD(U) sources said that despite Nitish Kumar’s indifference towards him, the BJP may offer Sharad Yadav ministerial berth.

Another name that is likely to figure in the list of cabinet ministers could be that of JD(U) senior leader and Nitish Kumar's close aide RCP Singh.

While Sharad Yadav was absent from Nitish's swearing-in ceremony on Thursday, when the latter returned as the chief minister of Bihar after a little over 12 hours after resigning from the chair, another leader of the JD(U), Ali Anwar, said “Nitish Kumar took a decision by listening to his inner voice, But my conscience doesn’t allow me to support his decision”.

If RJD sources are to be believed, as many as 16 JD(U) MLAs have opposed Nitish Kumar’s move to form a government with BJP in Bihar. They hinted that top RJD leaders are trying to gain the support of 5 Muslim and 11 Yadav MLAs from the JD(U) on secular lines.

Hours after submitting his resignation to Bihar Governor Keshri Nath Tripathi on Wednesday, Nitish joined hands with the BJP and was sworn in as the chief minister for the sixth time.

A floor test in Bihar Assembly is scheduled to be held on Friday as Nitish Kumar has been asked by Tripathi to prove majority in the House within two days.

Nitish has the support of 132 MLAs, including 71 from his party, 53 from BJP, 2 MLAs each from RLSP and LJP, 1 from HAM and 3 Independents.

Meanwhile, Tejaswi told reporters in Patna that RJD has the support of 27 Congress MLAs, 2 legislators of CPI(ML) and several independents. He also said that a large number of JD(U) legislators were also planning to support the Grand Secular Alliance.