Nitish's Support to Centre on Key Issues Fuels Speculations
Tehelka|January 15 2017

Nitish’s support to Centre on key issues fuels speculations Backing the Union government on demonetisation and appointment of New Army Chief is being seen as a hint that the Bihar CM has developed a soft corner for Modi’s administration 

Kanhaiya Bhelari
Nitish's Support to Centre on Key Issues Fuels Speculations

Ever since the Bihar Chief minister Nitish Kumar supported demonetization, the political atmosphere is agog with speculation of his ‘Ghar Wapsi’ or going with the BJP anytime. The speculation gained further momentum when he sided with the Centre on the issue of appointment of Lt General Bipin Rawat as new army chief by superseding two senior-most officers. The national general secretary of the Janta Dal (U) KC Tyagi was reported to have been silenced when he made a statement against the Centre on the appointment of the general. Sources said that “Nitish, as the national president of the party, advised him not to make adverse comments on the issues concerning the interest of the nation”. This development gave enough fodder to his political adversaries to push their contention forward.

But, the message is loud and clear that each and every decision of the Union government should not be criticised on the mere ground that the Janta Dal (U) is a party of opposition. “I have always been supportive throughout my political career to strengthen the nation’s image”, said Nitish. “Sometimes we are required to think above the politics when it comes to think about the pride of the country.”

Nitish does not do gimmicks for cheap political advantage. He broke his long political innings with Lalu Prasad Yadav in 1994 after the latter started roughly ignoring him. Similarly, the bearded chief minister was forced to break up the 17-yearold successful association with the BJP in June 2013 when his voice of not nominating Narendra Modi as prime ministerial candidate fell on deaf ears. “How could a man be PM when 20 percent of country’s population hates him,” he was quoted as saying.

This story is from the January 15 2017 edition of Tehelka.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the January 15 2017 edition of Tehelka.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM TEHELKAView All
Why Did Ratan Tata Feel Compelled To Take Charge Again?
Tehelka

Why Did Ratan Tata Feel Compelled To Take Charge Again?

Did Cyrus Mistry fall victim to an ossified corporate culture or did he violate Tata Sons’ ethos and culture? MG BanGa tells the story so far.

time-read
10+ mins  |
30 November 2016
Misguided Youths Or Trained Terrorists?
Tehelka

Misguided Youths Or Trained Terrorists?

As part of a dangerous trend emerging across the world, homegrown ISIL sympathisers are willing and attempting to carry out deadly terror attacks without any comprehensive support system.

time-read
5 mins  |
July 31 2016
Indian Railways: Living In Dreams
Tehelka

Indian Railways: Living In Dreams

Indian Railways is changing track, giving up its separate Budget and experimenting with surge pricing on three popular trains. That leaves the behemoth with no funds to replace ageing assets and encourage further investments.

time-read
10+ mins  |
31 October 2016
Priyanka Gandhi Agreed To Play Bigger Role In UP
Tehelka

Priyanka Gandhi Agreed To Play Bigger Role In UP

Further delay in decision making could be detrimental to the party’s goal to rejuvenate its prospects in the State Assembly elections.

time-read
4 mins  |
July 15 2016
Mission 2019: Banega Swachh India?
Tehelka

Mission 2019: Banega Swachh India?

Two years ago, Modi kicked off a cleanliness drive in a spectacular way. Showing the contrast between world cities and Gurgaon, MG BANGA suggests ways in which the mission can be accomplished by 2019.

time-read
7 mins  |
September 15 2016
The Goodwill Enjoyed By Mehabooba Mufti Has Been Erased!
Tehelka

The Goodwill Enjoyed By Mehabooba Mufti Has Been Erased!

Mehbooba Mufti risks losing her popularity and irking her party ranks by using New Delhi’s rulebook to deal with the unrest in Kashmir.

time-read
8 mins  |
August 31 2016
Is China's Support To Pakistan, Big Threat To India?
Tehelka

Is China's Support To Pakistan, Big Threat To India?

New Delhi needs to be cautious as in Pakistan’s scheme of things, strategic ties with China can serve as a powerful weapon to deal with adversaries like India.

time-read
4 mins  |
August 15 2016
Panama Papers: Nawaz Sharif'S Troubles Escalate
Tehelka

Panama Papers: Nawaz Sharif'S Troubles Escalate

After his name surfaced in the Panama paper leak following several other charges of money laundering filed against him, there is pressure on Pakistani PM Nawaz Sharif to resign.

time-read
5 mins  |
30 November 2016
This Potus Will Make The World Go Bust
Tehelka

This Potus Will Make The World Go Bust

The man who believes global warming is a hoax and has a short attention span will now preside over the affairs not just of the United States but of the whole world. A daunting prospect.

time-read
9 mins  |
30 November 2016
Reel-Life Bohemians, Real-Life Hyprocrites
Tehelka

Reel-Life Bohemians, Real-Life Hyprocrites

ADHM vs Palm Grove Heights: In cinematic life, two strangers Ranbir and Anushka meet in a pub in London and go on a kissing spree while in actual life back in India, a woman from Barcelona was evicted from her male friend’s home in Gurugram. Is cinema really a mirror of society?

time-read
4 mins  |
30 November 2016