The statement given by Araria MP Pradeep Singh during Giriraj Singh’s Hindu Swabhiman Yatra has put Nitish Kumar in a political dilemma. On one hand, Lalu Yadav’s party is attacking Nitish, on the other hand, Nitish is also worried about the political performance of JDU. It is being said that Nitish has taken both the leaders on his political radar.
It is said in the political circles of Bihar that whichever leader comes under Nitish’s radar, his political game gets spoiled. Even if he belongs to RJD or BJP.
Nitish angry with Giriraj-Pradeep?
The Chief Minister is said to be angry with Union Minister and senior BJP leader Giriraj Singh and BJP’s Araria MP Pradeep Singh. According to JDU sources, Nitish has considered it wrong the way Pradeep Singh raised slogans in Giriraj’s Hindu Swabhiman Yatra.
Pradeep had said in Araria that if you want to live here, you will have to call everyone Hindu-Hindu. While the population of Hindus in Araria is 55 percent, Muslims are 45 percent here. After this statement of Pradeep, a situation of tension arose in Araria.
JDU high command believes that the way Giriraj has undertaken the Hindu Swabhiman Yatra and the support he has received from local leaders, it cannot be assumed that he did not have the support of the party.
In fact, before Giriraj’s visit, BJP President Dilip Jaiswal had said that the party has nothing to do with Giriraj’s visit. However, the party has not taken any action against him regarding travelling.
JDU leader Ghulam Gaus says that such statements create division in the society, hence leaders should avoid making such statements. Nitish cannot support such statements.
What is the reason for Nitish’s anger?
There are three main reasons being given for Nitish’s displeasure on Giriraj Singh and Pradeep Singh who took out the Hindu Swabhiman Yatra.
1. Nitish Kumar wants to maintain his image as a secular leader. He has also practiced this on many occasions. In 2020, when not a single Muslim MLA from his party won, he brought the Muslim MLA of BSP into his fold and made him a minister.
Nitish’s party also talked about supporting Muslims on the Waqf Bill. In such a situation, Nitish has become uncomfortable with the controversial speech of the pair of Giriraj and Pradeep in Araria.
2. Nitish Kumar is advising NDA to grow in Bihar only through the Common Minimum Programme. Nitish is the leader of NDA in Bihar. In such a situation, both the leaders neither followed the leader’s intention nor the Common Minimum Programme.
BJP did not even take any cosmetic action against both of them. It is being said that Nitish does not want the Muslims to become so angry with the alliance that they form a front in favor of RJD without taking any stake.
3. There are more than 30 assembly seats in 5 assembly districts in Seemanchal. Last time, even in bad conditions, JDU had won 12 seats in these areas. JDU is hopeful of a good performance here this time too.
However, if there is polarization between Hindus and Muslims then JDU may suffer losses. Nitish is also in tension because of this.
The emperor remained silent, turn of Giriraj-Pradeep?
Nitish Kumar has played with Deputy CM Samrat Chaudhary, who was very vocal even while in the government. Before becoming Deputy CM, Samrat had tied a turban and had sworn that he would not remove the turban until Nitish was removed.
Nitish played such a trick that the emperor had to take off his turban. Not only this, Samrat is now seen peacefully following Nitish. Since the Lok Sabha elections, the emperor is afraid of losing his seat.
It is being said that now a game can be played with Pradeep and Giriraj also. Bihar NDA meeting is proposed under the chairmanship of Nitish Kumar on 28th October. However, its official announcement has not been made yet.
Recently, Giriraj Singh had given a statement saying that even if I lose my chair, I will not leave Hindutva. After this statement of Giriraj, there is discussion whether it is his turn now?
