Principles Versus Politics

Demonetisation has created ripples in the Grand Alliance in Bihar, with the CM coming out strongly in favour of the move, the Dy CM changing his stand, and others contradicting their party lines.

- Kanhaiya Bhelari

Yes, I am in favour of demonetisation .” This is what Nitish Kumar, Chief Minis-ter of Bihar repeated while reacting to the questions asked by journalists at his official chamber in the Assembly on 25 November. Thus, he made his stand clear for the second time since the buck ban came into effect on the midnight of 8 November.

His first official reaction to the media on the burning issue was on 10 November. Thereafter, RJD supremo and former chief minister of Bihar Lalu Prasad Yadav attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Congress state leadership sided with the latter. Political circles as well as people were surprised to see the CM taking a stand in favour of Narendra Modi’s policies and against his coalition partners. His silence for 15 days gave credence to the people’s perception, though at organisational level leaders belonging to the Janata Dal (U) made fluctuating statements, as if they too were not very much convinced about their leader’s approach to the issue that has been rocking Parliament for more than 10 days.

The for-against statements made on ‘notebandi’ by the leaders of the Grand Alliance give one to understand that all is not well among the coalition constituents of RJD, JD(U) and Congress that have been ruling the state for the last year. The development has all ingredients to suggest that the atmosphere in Bihar is heading towards re-alignment of new political forces. Says Ashok Kumar Chaudhary, BPCC president and human resources minister in Bihar, “I am waiting for signals from the central leadership. It will take a second to sever ties.” He further adds that it is injurious to the health of the Grand Alliance to make contradictory statements on an issue which has disrupted the life of people across the country.