Opposition parties discuss scenarios as Nitish heads for RS

Patna: Around the time CM Nitish Kumar was interacting with JD(U) MPs, MLAs and MLCs at his official residence on Friday evening to mollify their bruised sentiments after filing his Rajya Sabha nomination a day earlier, smaller opposition parties in the state had already concluded that he was unlikely to reverse his decision to enter the Rajya Sabha.In fact, these smaller parties had already discussed the matter and deliberated on various scenarios that could unfold under BJP rule in the state. Apart from the Congress, which has six members in the assembly, the other parties include the AIMIM with five, CPI(ML) with two and the BSP with one. “From our party’s point of view, I can say that the entry of CM Nitish Kumar into the Rajya Sabha points to the death of his development with justice in the state,” AIMIM MLA Murshid Alam said.“I feel that Nitish will eventually return to the state after six months. During this period, the BJP, with its own CM, would have displayed its style of governance. By then, the situation could become so critical that Nitish may reconsider and decide to return to the state to take over as CM and run it according to his model. Alternatively, there could be a collective public outcry demanding his return,” Alam said.Unlike the AIMIM, CPI(ML) state secretary Kunal referred to various theories being discussed about Nitish’s continuance as the state’s CM. “There are three possible scenarios in discussion among the circles. The first one is that some of the JD(U) MLAs might decide not to cast votes in favour of Nitish during the Rajya Sabha election on March 16 to ensure his defeat and eventual stay,” Kunal said.“Second, Nitish might decide not to tender his resignation as the CM, a post that he still holds. That is, he would have to withdraw his name from the contest for Rajya Sabha. The third scenario is that even if he has to go to Rajya Sabha, he should not leave Bihar and camp in the state,” Kunal also said.“All this was in the realm of imagination of people, which is natural, since Nitish has run the state for the last 20 years,” he added.