PATNA: Making a U-turn, JD(U) on Thursday refused to join the Narendra Modi government with its president and Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar emphasising that it did not want a “ token participation” in the government, with the party claiming that was what was on offer.

With 16 MPs, JD(U) is the third largest party in NDA in the Lok Sabha after BJP and Shiv Sena . JD(U) was eyeing at least two Cabinet posts besides a junior minister’s berth in the council of ministers.

However, BJP offered JD(U) only one Cabinet post, which was not acceptable to the party. Sources said that Nitish had requested BJP chief to increase the representation when they discussed the matter on Wednesday, but Shah conveyed his inability to cede more berths

“BJP national president Amit Shah had yesterday (Wednesday) proposed a token participation of the allies of NDA in the next government. However, we apprised him of our decision on the issue this morning,” Nitish said in Delhi before heading for the swearing-in ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan .

Nitish said the decision to not join the Modi government was taken after consultation with senior leaders of JD(U).

“I had met Amit Shah soon after reaching the national capital on Wednesday. Later, we discussed BJP’s proposal with the leaders of JD(U), who didn’t agree with the proposal,” said Nitish, who had earlier said in Patna that JD(U) may join the NDA government.

Nitish, however, said the decision not to join the new government at the Centre should not be construed as a mark of resentment or disagreement. “There is no resentment. We are a part of NDA and are also running the coalition government in Bihar smoothly. It is not necessary to be part of the central government,” he added.

JD (U) national general secretary K C Tyagi also corroborated Nitish’s views and said symbolic participation was not acceptable. “The issue was discussed at the meeting of the executive committee of the party, which disapproved the proposal,” he told TOI over phone on Thursday.



In Video: Upset JD(U) decides not to join Modi govt