JD-U MP voices dissent against Nitish s decision

Patna July 27 (IANS) A voice of dissent against Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar s decision to join hands with the BJP surfaced on Thursday with senior JD-U leader and party s Rajya Sabha MP Ali Anwar Ansari expressing his opposition.

"My conscience does not allow me support this step of his (of Nitish Kumar joining hands with the BJP) " Ansari a leading Muslim face of the Janata Dal-United said.

"It is wrong to split from the Grand Alliance and join hands with a communal party like the BJP to form the government in Bihar " Ansari said.

He told IANS over telephone that mandate was given to the Grand Alliance of the JD-U Rashtriya Janata Dal and Congress to rule for five years.

He said the people s verdict was for BJP to be in opposition. "Manndate of people should be respected."

Ansari s stand has strengthened speculations that a section of leaders in Nitish Kumar s party were unhappy with his decision to form government with the support of the BJP.

In 2013 it was Nitish Kumar who had dumped the BJP and ended his 17-year alliance with them.

In 2015 Nitish Kumar had joined hands with RJD chief Lalu Prasad after a gap of nearly two decade and defeated the BJP-led NDA in the Bihar assembly polls.

According to sources in the JD-U former party President Sharad Yadav was also not happy with Nitish Kumar s decision.

--IANS
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