NDA ally trouble grows: Shiv Sena keeps two conditions for support

New Delhi, June 8

Amid the latest ally trouble for the BJP in Bihar, where the RLSP is in a sulking mode over the big brother position acquired by the JD-U, top sources indicate that the Maharashtra NDA partner, the Shiv Sena, has put two conditions before the BJP for its support in the 2019 Lok Sabha.
Apparently, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray wants BJP chief Amit Shah to mend bridges with Chandrababu Naidu-led TDP which had walked out of the alliance a few weeks ago.
Another condition set by the Sena chief is that Naveen Patnaik-led BJD should be convinced to join the NDA to strengthen it further for 2019. Regional opposition parties are trying to come together to corner the BJP-led NDA and the BJD is expected to be a key part of this nascent Federal Front.
Meanwhile, the RLSP, which has declined to join the NDA dinner in Patna on Friday, is sulking over its diminished stature in the NDA ever since Nitish Kumar did his ‘ghar wapsi’ to the coalition last year.
More than with the JD (U), RLSP leaders say they are upset with Shah who over the past two days has been knocking at the doors of the Shiv Sena and the Akali Dal to keep them happy and by his side.
So far he has not tried any such effort with the RLSP, which too wants a meeting with Shah to thrash out issues regarding seat-sharing in Bihar. “Our alliance was with the BJP and we want clarity from Shah over our status in the coalition,” an RLSP leader told the Tribune.
The NDA gathering on Friday night is the first since Kumar returned to the coalition after dumping the RJD and the Congress. However, it’s not just the RLSP, the JD (U) also does not seem to be too happy with the NDA and is now trying to acquire the status of the senior partner in Bihar.