Patna: Cracks appeared in the ruling Grand Alliance in Bihar a day after Governor Ram Nath Kovind was announced as presidential candidate of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
While the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) headed by Lalu Prasad and the Congress party led by Sonia Gandhi are said to be against supporting the NDA candidate, there are indications Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar may lend his support to Kovind.
Kumar, who is also national president of the Janata Dal United (JD-U), heads the ruling Grand Alliance in Bihar, comprising the RJD, JD-U and Congress.
Sources said Kumar may lend his support to the NDA candidate for various reasons.
According to party insiders, Kovind as governor of Bihar never got involved in any controversy and maintained very good relations with the state government.
Moreover, the Bihar factor could also go in favour of the NDA candidate.
The chief minister also feels “indebted” to Kovind the way he gave his assent for the prohibition on consumption and sale of alcohol in Bihar with effect from April last year despite stiff protests from his own party, the BJP.
Also, the governor unlike his predecessors never criticised the functioning of the state government and instead support it quite on many occasions, JD-U sources told the media.
Kumar dropped ample hints about his planned course of action when he rushed to meet Kovind at Raj Bhawan on Monday moments after he was declared as presidential candidate.
Although he described it as a “courtesy meeting”, his statements dropped enough hints about his plans.
“He [the governor] performed exceptionally well as governor of Bihar and maintained dignity of his office. We will always remember him for this,” was how Kumar told the media on Monday, emerging from the Raj Bhawan.
He added he was personally happy over the nomination and asserted it was also a matter of great pride that the governor of Bihar had been made presidential candidate.
The chief minister is also known for taking an independent stand over the issues of national interest in sharp contrast to his allies.
In the last 2012 presidential polls as well, Kumar had backed UPA’s presidential nominee Pranab Mukherjee against BJP’s official candidate P.N. Sangma.
Kumar has also supported the army’s surgical strikes and the demonetisation drive by the Narendra Modi government at the centre, indicating his independent streak.
Meanwhile Kovind resigned as the Governor of Bihar on Tuesday and according to reports, his resignation has also been accepted by President Pranab Mukherjee. Kovind will file his nomination for the presidential elections on June 23, as per reports. The existing President Mukherjee completes his five-year term on July 24.
