BJP, Congress Make New Appointments For Bihar Organisation Amid Speculations Of Nitish Kumar Joining NDA

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday (27 January) appointed former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel as senior observer to coordinate Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra and other party activities in Bihar.

This comes amid speculation of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar rejoining the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) as neither the seat-sharing arrangements nor the position of convener could be finalised in the Congress-led INDI Alliance.

On the same day, BJP appointed election in-charges and co-in-charges for 23 States and Union Territories including Bihar for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Vinod Tawde and Deepak Prakash have been appointed as Bihar in-charge and co-in-charge respectively.

While Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra was set to enter Bihar on 29 January, the yatra was abruptly halted amid the ongoing discord within the INDI Alliance. The Yatra will now resume on 28 January from Jalpaiguri in West Bengal.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said that Kharge made an "honest attempt" to talk to Nitish Kumar but he seemed "busy". He acknowledged that there are some issues within the alliance at the state level.