Split wide open in JD-U over women's bill

New Delhi: NDA ally and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar seems has to deal with a party split over the women's reservation bill. His colleagues in the Janata Dal United who are against the bill, are not too impressed with the Chief Minister's change of heart on reservation for women.

JDU president Sharad Yadav is one of the oldest and fiercest opponents of the women's reservation bill. He had even earlier gone to the extent of saying, "if this bill becomes a reality, I will consume poison."

On the other hand, Nitish is one of the few people who have done a turnaround, from being a critic to becoming a supporter of the women's bill. After his praise of the bill, his party is caught in a crossfire.

While five of the seven JDU MPs in Rajya Sabha voted in favour of the bill on Tuesday, the majority of his party's MPs in Lok Sabha appear to be on the side Yadav.

Many of the JDU MPs in Lok Sabha are upset with Nitish's style of functioning. He didn't consult party's senior leaders before announcing his change of heart, according to sources.

However, Yadav does not want to acknowledge the differences in public, saying: "What is happening in the party is party's internal matter. We will meet and find a solution to whatever problems we are facing."

But reports suggest a split in the party is imminent with reluctance of both factions to join hands. While Yadav hopes to build on the anger of the MPs against Nitish, the latter plans to use his image as a bait to bring around more supporters.

"It's not a dead party. There is vibrant democracy in our party," said another senior leader Shivanad Tewari of the party.

Nitish knows that the Bihar elections this year will be a 'make or break' situation for him. By taking a position in favour of the women's bill, he might have continued his relations with the NDA as well as opening a window of discussion with the Congress party.

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