Amid the ongoing political developments in Bihar, the Congress on Saturday said its party president Mallikarjun Kharge tried to talk to Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) president Nitish Kumar but he was “busy”.
“Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge tried to talk to the Chief Minister of Bihar. He tried not just once, but several times. The Bihar Chief Minister is busy,” said Congress general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh at the party headquarters in response to a question on speculation that Kumar may join the BJP-led NDA again by severing ties with the INDIA bloc.
Ramesh, who is also the Congress MP in Rajya Sabha, also informed that Kharge got a call-back stating that the Chief Minister is in meetings.
“There is no communication between the two. Efforts are on. Unless the Congress president is able to speak to the Bihar Chief minister, I cannot make a comment,” he added.
Recalling the contribution of Kumar in the formation of the INDIA alliance, Ramesh said, “He made major contributions in the formation of the INDIA alliance. He is one of the architects of this alliance.”
Underlining that it is the responsibility of all the Opposition parties to stregthen the INDIA allinace, he said, “Congress party is ready to take every step so that the alliance can be further strengthened.”
He also informed that former Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel, who has been appointed as senior observer to coordinate the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra (BJNY) and other party activities in Bihar, will reach the state today and hold meetings with the MLAs and other parties.
Attacking the BJP, Ramesh said, “The BJP is working over time to ensure that there is a mini implosion if not a maxi implosion (in INDIA alliance). The BJP is doing its best.”
In Bihar, the Congress is part of the ‘Mahagathbandhan’ (JDU and Rashtriya Janata Dal) government.