Patna, December 31: Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) president Nitish Kumar downplayed reports of a rift with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). "All is well," Nitish Kumar said when asked whether there was a tension between the JD(U) and BJP. Speculation is rife that there could be another face-off between the two allies after JD(U) leader Prashant Kishor demanded a larger share of seats for the 2020 Bihar assembly elections. NRC Will Not be Implemented in Bihar, Says CM Nitish Kumar.

Speaking to a news channel, Prashant Kishor said that seat-sharing talks could be held according to the old formula followed in 2009 when the BJP and JD(U) fought the elections in an alliance. Kishor's statement drew a sharp reaction from the BJP which questioned the JD(U) vice president's locus standi, adding that the top leadership of the National Democratic Alliance will take a call on seat sharing. CAA Crisis in JDU: Party's Minority Cell Leader Quits Over Nitish Kumar's Stand on Citizenship Amendment Act.

"The talks between the JD(U) and the BJP for division of seats for the Assembly polls next year could be held on the basis of the 1:1.4 ratio, while it is possible for it to be even 1:1.35 or 1:1.3, but it can’t be 1:1, since the JD(U) is the bigger party in Bihar and the elections will be fought with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar as the face of the alliance and therefore the basis of the discussion could be around 1:1.4 ratio and thereabouts only," Kishor said. Citizenship Amendment Act: Cracks Within JD(U) Widen, Pavan Varma May Quit Nitish Kumar's Party.

A war of words then erupted between Kishor and Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi. "A person running business for profit first tries to create a market for his service, thinks about the welfare of the country later," Sushil Kumar Modi said on Monday. Sushil Modi did not mention Kishor, but who was his point of blistering attack was apparent. Kishor hit back on Tuesday, saying Sushil Modi owes his position due to "circumstances".

Kishor tweeted: "The leadership of Nitish Kumar in Bihar and the role of JDU as the largest party has been decided by the people of Bihar, not by any other party leader or its top leadership." Then he sarcastically added that "It is a pleasant experience" to hear "lectures on political dignity and ideology" from Sushil Modi, who became Deputy Chief Minister even after the "defeat in 2015" due to "circumstances".

Despite being a JDU leader, which is an NDA ally, Kishor has been criticising the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act. He had expressed displeasure when the JD(U) voted in favour of the legislation in Parliament.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 31, 2019 01:22 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).