BJP downplays JD(U)`s win, slams Nitish for aligning with Lalu

Putting up a brave face after two independent candidates lost the Rajya Sabha bypoll in Bihar on Thursday, the BJP claimed that former CM Nitish Kumar had lost it politically by allying with RJD.

Patna: Putting up a brave face after two independent candidates lost the Rajya Sabha bypoll in Bihar on Thursday, the BJP claimed that former chief minister Nitish Kumar had lost it politically by allying with RJD.

"Nitish Kumar has lost it politically despite winning the bypoll in two Rajya Sabha seats for which he had to align with RJD supremo Lalu Prasad, who symbolised `jungle raj` in the state," senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi told reporters here. Modi criticised Kumar for compromising his principles by shaking hands with Prasad, who symbolised `jungle raj` in Bihar, to ensure victory of the two JD(U) candidates Pawan Verma and Gulam Rasool Baliyawi. Modi also alleged that Kumar tried to break the BJP legislature party with allurements. "But our MLAs stayed together like rock as the results have shown even as the former chief minister`s own party -- the JD(U) -- suffered a massive revolt with 18-19 MLAs cross voting in favour of the two independent candidates," he said. Claiming a grimmer future ahead for the JD(U), Modi said the rebellion in the ruling party had gained ground after Kumar warmed up to arch-rival Lalu Prasad. "The beginning of the end of the JD(U) has well and truly begun after the Rajya Sabha bypoll results," Modi, a former deputy chief minister said.