The demand of the Begusarai MP has, however, left many leaders surprised as Giriraj has been critical of Nitish’s style of functioning as the chief minister of the state. Giriraj, on several occasions, assailed the Bihar CM for bureaucratic interference and babudom prevailing in the government offices.Giriraj softened his stance against Nitish after the BJP Core Committee’s meeting in which he said, “Nitish Kumar is our leader and he will remain so.” The demand to confer Bharat Ratna to Nitish assumed significance in the wake of Union home minister Amit Shah’s recent statement during an interview with a TV channel that the Bihar CM’s name will be decided at the meeting of the parliament board of the respective parties after the assembly elections.Shah’s twisted comment didn’t go down well in JD(U) circles and they reiterated in unison that the next assembly elections would be fought under the leadership of Nitish Kumar. Earlier, BJP leaders had also said on several occasions that the ruling NDA in Bihar will contest the assembly polls under Nitish’s leadership.While the JD(U) and its allies welcomed the Union minister’s demand, the main opposition RJD said that it was a misleading statement as Giriraj being a minister at the Centre was asking for the Bharat Ratna award from his own government.”How misleading is it? One can easily understand their gameplan. The truth is that they (BJP) want to throw Nitish from power as happened in Maharashtra recently,” RJD spokesperson Mritunjay Tiwari told the media.On the other hand, JD(U) leader Neeraj Kumar welcomed the Union minister’s demand. “Our party has also said on several occasions that Bharat Ratna should be conferred upon Nitish Kumar for his splendid work in every field,” he said. The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) led by Chirag Paswan also hailed the BJP leader’s demand.
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