Nitish Kumar's JD(U) for proportionate representation in Modi Cabinet

BJP ally JD(U), which had refused to join Modi government in June, on Wednesday pushed for a "proportionate representation" for party in Union Cabinet, saying if Prime Minister Narendra Modi or BJP president Amit Shah takes an initiative to this effect, it will welcome move. Shortly after Nitish Kumar addressed his party's national council following his reelection as party president for a fresh three-year term, JD(U) reminded BJP that Bihar Chief Minister has given saffron party a proportionate representation in state government. Briefing reporters on Kumar's speech and or issues, JD(U) general secretary KC Tyagi ted that mandate of 2015 Bihar Assembly poll was "against" BJP but Kumar conceded to it post of deputy chief minister besides sharing ministerial berths.

assertive stand of JD(U), which had t joined Modi government as it was offered only one berth, comes at a time when ar BJP ally Shiv Sena is demanding an equal division of power in Maharashtra after its bigger partner's below-par performance in recent assembly poll.

"If NDA leaders Modi and Shah take an initiative for JD(U)'s proportionate representation in government, we will welcome it," Tyagi said, ting that his party is biggest NDA constituent in Bihar.

An adequate representation of JD(U) will make Bihar more representative in Union government, he said, adding that it will be socially more broad-based and cohesive. BJP had offered one berth to each of its allies following its landslide win in 2019 Lok Sabha elections. JD(U) had sought at least three ministerial berths. Underscoring his party's long-held demand, Tyagi ted that JD(U) was t inducted in first Modi government as well, even though it had broken its ties with Lalu Prasad-led RJD and Congress in 2017 and joined hands with BJP in 2017.

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Kumar defeated BJP in 2015

As part of opposition grand alliance in Bihar, Kumar had inflicted a heavy defeat on BJP-led NDA in 2015 but joined it later following his differences with RJD. In recent Lok Sabha election, BJP and JD(U) had won 17 and 16 seats respectively in state followed by six of Ram Vilas Paswan-led LJP. Tyagi, however, added his party was imposing condition on BJP over issue of cabinet berths.

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In his speech, Kumar batted for nation-wide prohibition, spoke at length about his government's pro-women measures and rejected criticism over law and order issues in Bihar. He also pitched for value-based politics, saying Mahatma Gandhi's concept of 'seven social sins' should be part of political campaigns. Tyagi also asserted that re is "confusion" in his party's alliance with BJP after Shah's recent statement that NDA will fight 2020 assembly polls in Bihar under Kumar's leadership.

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'Better than 2010'

"We will do even better than 2010 poll results," he said. NDA had n won 206 of 243 seats. JD(U), he added, will fight upcoming assembly polls in Jharkhand and Delhi on its own. party's aim is to become a national party, which requires a party to be recognised in at least four states. JD(U) is currently a recognised party in Bihar and Arunachal Pradesh.

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