Tantrik video a new weapon in BJP armoury to nail Nitish

PATNA: A video showing Bihar CM Nitish Kumar being hugged by a tantrik who also says ‘Lalu murdabad’ has not only gone viral but also given a potent weapon to the BJP-led NDA four days before the third phase of assembly election on October 28. The video is in stark contrast to Nitish’s image of a modern, forward-thinking engineer-turned-politician.
The BJP is set to use the video in the last three rounds of the polls to drive home its point that the JD(U)-RJD-Congress Mahagathbandhan is a “fragile and opportunistic alliance”.BJP spokesman Sanjay Mayukh said people of Bihar now know how Nitish is using occult science to remain in power. “He can go to any extent and even harm his allies as we can see the tantri in the video saying ‘Lalu murdabad’. People of Bihar will not trust him any more,” said Mayukh.
READ ALSO: BJP video shows Nitish meeting a 'tantrik' who said 'Lalu murdabad'
Patna University’s retired professor of sociology R N Sinha said, “No one had ever seen Nitish like this. We have seen many politicians, including RJD chief Lalu Prasad, visiting sadhus and sanyasis. A few days back, Lalu even called PM Narendra Modi inauspicious for Bihar. He also called PM a Bramhapishach and claimed to ward off evil by burning black mustard seeds with red chilli,” said Sinha.
Political analyst Ravindra Pratap, who has been following Bihar and Jharkhand politics for the last 20 years, was also surprised by the Nitish video. “The most striking part of the video is when Nitish just smiled when the tantrik said ‘Lalu murdabad’ and questioned Nitish’s decision to join hands with his foe for two decades,” said Pratap.
JD(U) spokesman Dr Ajay Alok, however, termed the video as a sign of frustration in the NDA camp. “Our party strongly believes in honest work and never follows tantriks. The video showing Nitish meeting a tantrik will not help NDA because people of Bihar know that we are believe in modern thoughts,” he said.
READ ALSO: What’s wrong if I met a tantrik, Nitish asks
Ajay also claimed the video is very old and has nothing to do with its recent alignment with RJD. “RJD and JD(U) have renewed their ties and such ‘video game’ will not have any negative impact on the alliance,” he added.
RJD sources said Lalu firmly believes in God and supernatural powers. “We feel he will definitely take up the matter seriously,” said an RJD leader.
READ ALSO: Video shows Nitish with ‘anti-Lalu’ tantrik