Rajnath denies rift within NDA constituents in Bihar

Patna, July 14 (UNI) BJP President Rajnath Singh today categorically denied any rift among the constituents of the ruling NDA in Bihar and described the recent heated arguments between Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and a senior BJP legislator here as a ''minor issue''.

''There is absolutely no differences (of opinion) between our party and the Janata Dal(United) of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and we are committed to running the NDA government in Bihar happily not only for the entire term but for years to come,'' Mr Singh said when his attention was drawn towards the open displeasure shown by senior BJP MLA Bhola Nath Singh and some others against the Chief Minister during a legislature party meeting here on Thursday.

The BJP chief, while speaking to mediapersons here this morning on his arrival from New Delhi on a two-day visit to the state, said he also had talks with Mr Kumar regarding the possibility of the state cabinet's expansion following the party legislators' demand.

''I am told that the cabinet will soon be expanded,'' Mr Singh said but refused to shed further light on the issue.

Regarding the growing dissensions among most of the party MLAs and MLCs about the alleged autocratic rule of the Nitish Kumar government which had substantially reduced their importance, Mr Singh said he was not aware of any such development.

''There is no major demand or issue to pose any threat to the ruling coalition,'' he emphasised and described the recent protest by some as ''nothing but a minor issue''.

During the NDA legislature party meeting here on July 12, senior BJP MLA Bhola Singh and several of his party colleagues raised their voice against the Chief Minister and protested his way of functioning, forcing the latter to issue a threat of quiting the post.

However, the situation was brought under control within hours with no sign of any rift among the ruling coalition partners bringing a sigh of relief to all concerned.

UNI