RLSP chief Kushwaha declares ‘war’ on BJP

Stops short of announcing split with NDA

Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP) chief Upendra Kushwaha on Thursday declared a "war" on the NDA but stopped short of announcing a break-up with the BJP-led coalition.

"I have categorically said it is a war. What more do you expect me to say?" the Union minister, who has often made public his unhappiness over the seatsharing issue for the Lok Sabha polls by criticising the leadership of the BJP and the JD(U), told reporters when asked if he was severing ties with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA)I.

The BJP and the JD(U) offered the RLSP just two seats of the total 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar. Kushwaha had said that the number of seats the party was offered was not respectable and asked the BJP to do a rethink by November 30.

RLSP sources had hinted on Wednesday that the party was likely to sever ties with the NDA government and a formal announcement would be made on Thursday, reports PT.

At an open session of the party here, Kushwaha made a scathing attack on the BJP and quoted from poet Dinkar's work 'Rashmirathi' the words of Lord Krishna addressed to Duryodhana: "Since gesture of friendship has been spurned, I am announcing the final resolve that henceforth, there would be no more supplication but a war."

To questions by reporters, who approached him after the rally, that he had left his stand vague and if he wanted the NDA to expel him instead, Kushwaha dismissed the suggestion and said he was not seeking to play a victim card.

"Only the first generation makes sacrifices. The second one rules," Kushwaha said.

To a question whether a meeting with Congress president Rahul Gandhi was on the cards, he said "I need nobody's permission to meet anyone".

Kushwaha is presently the Minister of State for Human Resource Development (HRD) in the NDA at the Centre.