Sharad Yadav free to take his decision, says Nitish Kumar

Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar yesterday virtually shut the door on any reconciliation with rebel leader Sharad Yadav, saying he is free to take any decision as the alliance with the BJP had the entire party's nod

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar (right) Senior JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav. Pics/PTI

Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar yesterday virtually shut the door on any reconciliation with rebel leader Sharad Yadav, saying he is free to take any decision as the alliance with the BJP had the entire party's nod.

On Thursday Yadav had said he remained with the grand alliance. He also claimed that the real JD(U) is with him and the one with Kumar was 'sarkari' JD(U).

“He (Yadav) is free to take his decision. As far as the party is concerned, it has already taken its decision. The decision was not mine alone and it was taken with the consent of the party. If he keeps a different opinion, then he is free to do so,” Nitish told reporters after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

It was his first visit to the national capital after he dumped grand alliance partners - the RJD and the Congress - and sealed a tie-up with the BJP.

This is Nitish's first direct response to Yadav's open rebellion against the alliance.

Yadav, who is the leader of the party in the Rajya Sabha, is on a tour to Bihar.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi on Friday said that Yadav should question Lalu and his son, rather than going on the Jan Samwad Yatra.

“Instead of roaming in Bihar and appealing to people against Nitish Kumar, Sharad Yadav should question Lalu on his illegal property and money,” he said.

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