Lalu puts ball in Nitish's court ahead of JD(U) meet: 'I won't break alliance, they can take a call'

Amid rumours of rift within the Bihar Grand Alliance, Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad Yadav on Wednesday sought to dispel rumours around strains in the alliance. Addressing the press in Patna, Lalu said that the so-called bitterness in the alliance was of media’s making, adding that Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar has not asked for his son Tejashwi Yadav’s resignation. [caption id=“attachment_3800415” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of Lalu Prasad Yadav. PTI[/caption] The alliance partners are said to be at loggerheads over a CBI case against the Yadav family, including Tejashwi, who is also the deputy chief minister of Bihar. Lalu, clearing the air around RJD’s position, once again  ruled out Tejashwi’s resignation.  “There is no question of Tejashwi’s resignation. All of this is BJP’s propoganda and everyone knows this,” Lalu said. Lalu even got crossed with some reporters who tried to ask some questions relating to the land-for-contract scam . “Tum humko mat batao, ye sab ulte sidhe saval mat pucho. Hum tumhari sab history jante hain, (Do not try to lecture me, don’t ask such rubbish questions. I know all your history),” Lalu told a reporter, stiffening up as he questioned him on the CBI enquiry.  However, even as he sought to rule out any strains within the alliance, Lalu also subtly took the opportunity to put the ball in Nitish’s court. “We have built the alliance with great difficulty, it will endure,” the RJD chief said. He, however, added that Nitish can pull out of the alliance if he wants to, clearly signalling that who will take the blame in case the alliance is scrapped. Lalu’s wife and former Bihar chief minsiter Rabri Devi, echoed his sentiment, adding “jo hoga dekha jayega (We will see whatever happens).” Lalu also blamed the media for trying to create crack in alliance. He said that speculative reporting in national media is trying to make up things that do not exist. Lalu also firmly asserted that he was all for a full five-year government and his party will not do anything to jeopardise its chances. Lalu’s press briefing, coming just hours ahead of the JD(U)’s legislative party meeting has turned up the heat in Bihar politics. By putting the ball in Nitish’s court at the ripe moment, Lalu has also put certain pressure on his political ally. Nitish will chair the JD(U) legislators meet at 5.30 pm on Wednesday in Patna. It was said that the ruling party in Bihar was to take a call on the future of the alliance, and Tejashwi’s cabinet position in the government. However, Lalu’s comments have realligned the political equation, putting the onus of taking a stance on Nitish. “Humari taraf se is tarah ka koi baat nahi hai. Nitish ko humi ne chief minister banaya. Hum usko kyu girayenge. Ha usko jo karna hai vo uske upar hai. (There is no such thing (dispute) from my side. I have made Nitish the chief minister and I am not going to break the alliance, Nitish is free to take a call.),” the seasoned politician had said.