Nitish downplays Lalu's offer to join INDIA bloc

RJD president Lalu Prasad's remarks that doors of the opposition INDIA bloc are open for Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar triggered speculations in the state, which will go to the assembly polls later this year, even as the JD(U) leader on Thursday attempted to downplay Prasad's offer.

- Anirban Guha Roy

PATNA:

"Kya bol rahe hain? (What are you saying?)" Kumar told reporters in a cryptic response when asked about the RJD chief's offer to return to the opposition alliance.

Kumar-led JD(U) had aligned twice with the RJD, a key constituent of the INDIA bloc, in the last one decade. In 2015, the JD(U) aligned with the RJD-Congress combine to form the government only to walk away in 2017. Kumar realigned with the grand alliance in August 2022. After the formation of INDIA bloc, Kumar again walked out of the opposition alliance in January 2024 and joined hands with the BJP-led NDA.

On Monday, Prasad in an interview to a TV channel had said: "We will accept Nitish Kumar if he comes to our side. Our doors are always open. Kumar should also keep his doors open. This would facilitate movement of people from both sides." He further said he would "forgive" Kumar if the latter decided to "join us".