As Nitish Kumar reaches Delhi ahead of LS result day, JD(U) demands early state polls

The JD(U), however, clarified that this demand has got nothing to do with Bihar Chief Minister and party supremo Nitish Kumar’s visit to Delhi, where he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday morning.

The party’s national spokesperson and former Rajya Sabha MP, K C Tyagi, told The Indian Express: “Let us make it clear that CM Nitish Kumar’s meeting with PM was just a courtesy call. The CM had come to Delhi for his routine eye check-up and had sought time with PM Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.”

A BJP leader confirmed that the JD(U) was eager to have the Assembly elections be held along with Jharkhand, in November-December.

“If the alliance puts up an impressive performance, it will be good to go for Assembly polls in that positive atmosphere. The JD(U) is keen to take advantage of the conducive atmosphere,” the leader said.

According to reports, the BJP said that while Nitish met Modi, he spoke to Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the phone, after a planned meeting did not materialise.

However, “there were no significant political discussions," party leaders said.

Tyagi argued that the JD(U)’s demand should not come as a surprise as it had always been in favour of simultaneous polls. “As the NDA looks set to return to power, we demand early elections in Bihar. Nitish has always supported the idea as holding elections together would save a lot of money,” he said.

On the “timing” of the party’s demand, Tyagi said: “It has nothing to do with timing. We had even told the panel headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind (on one nation, one election) that we were in favour of the idea.”

The JD(U) spokesperson added that INDIA parties were against “one nation, one election” as they felt that in such a scenario, the ruling coalition at the Centre would play up its flagship schemes, blunting local issues.