Janata Dal (United) president Nitish Kumar met Union Panchayati Raj Minister and senior party leader Rajiv Ranjan Singh, popularly known as Lalan Singh, at his residence on Friday evening, hours after the latter held discussions with Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary. The back-to-back meetings have drawn attention amid reports of unease within the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Bihar.
Although leaders from both the JD(U) and the BJP described the interactions as routine, they have fuelled speculation about possible differences within the coalition, particularly between its two principal partners.
Nitish Kumar visited Lalan Singh along with Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and Water Resources Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary. The discussions reportedly included preparations for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled visit to Bihar on November 21.
Vijay Kumar Choudhary dismissed suggestions that the meeting indicated any political discord, saying Nitish Kumar had frequently visited the residences of senior leaders in the past. He described attempts to attach political significance to the visit as unnecessary.
Earlier in the afternoon, Lalan Singh, who had returned from Delhi, met Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary at Lok Sevak Awas. Officials at the Chief Minister's residence said the discussions covered the political situation in Bihar, coordination among NDA partners and the progress of ongoing development projects. Preparations for the Prime Minister's visit were also discussed.
Nitish Setu announcement adds to political significance
The meetings took place on the same day that Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary announced that the Kachhi Dargah-Raghopur-Bidupur six-lane bridge would be named after Nitish Kumar.
The bridge, which will be known as Nitish Setu, is scheduled to be dedicated to the public by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a programme in Bihar on November 21.
The announcement, along with the meetings involving senior JD(U) and BJP leaders, has kept political circles in Patna active during the Chhath festivities. Party sources said the discussions were intended to ensure coordination ahead of the Prime Minister's visit and reinforce the message of unity within the alliance.
Recent developments have raised questions over NDA unity
The latest interactions come against the backdrop of reports of friction between the BJP and JD(U). Following the legislative council elections, allegations emerged that some BJP leaders had worked against JD(U) candidates.
The BJP had subsequently sent former Union minister and former Bihar in-charge Dharmendra Pradhan to Patna to hold discussions and address outstanding issues between the alliance's two main partners.
Tensions among other NDA constituents have also complicated efforts to maintain cohesion. Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan and Hindustani Awam Morcha-Secular leader Jitan Ram Manjhi have been involved in confrontations that have added to the coalition's challenges.
These developments have unfolded as the Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre faces increased opposition criticism over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, unemployment and rising prices.
JD(U) leaders dismiss reports of differences
Senior JD(U) leader and Bihar Rural Development Minister Shravan Kumar described Friday's meetings as routine and maintained that outstanding issues within the NDA had been resolved.
"It would be a routine kind of meeting of the Union minister Lalan Singh with Nitish Kumar and CM Choudhary, as all outstanding issues in the alliance have been settled now," he said.
Leaders of both the JD(U) and BJP have similarly played down the significance of the meetings, insisting that they were part of regular political consultations and preparations for the Prime Minister's upcoming visit.