BJP leaders skip Patna Dussehra event with Nitish Kumar, exposing alliance rift

Differences between Bihar’s ruling allies, the BJP and the Janata Dal (United), surfaced publicly on Tuesday when no senior BJP leader attended the Dussehra celebrations at Patna’s Gandhi Maidan, at which Nitish Kumar, the Chief Minister, was the chief guest.

Empty chair

The seat reserved for Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi remained empty, adding to talk of a widening gap between the partners. The local BJP MLA, BJP ministers and other prominent party figures also stayed away. A state government release said Assembly Speaker Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, senior officials and the Patna District Magistrate attended.

Row over the floods

The absence followed a clash on Sunday, when Union minister Giriraj Singh criticised the state government’s handling of flooding in Patna after heavy rain. Asked about attacks on the Chief Minister and his deputy, he said: “Jab taali sardaar ko, to gaali bhi sardaar ko”, meaning the leader takes both credit and blame.

The JD(U) hit back by blaming the BJP. Spokesman Rajiv Ranjan Prasad said the urban development department had been with the BJP throughout the alliance’s rule, and that the city’s mayor, its two MPs and its assembly members were all from the BJP. Another spokesman, Sanjay Singh, said Giriraj Singh was not comparable to “a speck of dust on Nitish Kumar’s feet”.

Flood and dengue situation

Officials said the Punpun and Ganga rivers were receding, though the death toll in 15 affected districts had risen from 73 to 97. Levels in the Burhi Gandak, Kamala Balan, Baghmati and Mahananda were also falling. The health department reported a sharp rise in dengue cases in Patna, and the government announced free testing camps at Patna Medical College and Hospital and Nalanda Medical College and Hospital on October 10, 11 and 12.

See also: Janata Dal (United) and Bharatiya Janata Party.

Originally published on 9 October 2019. Rewritten on 9 October 2026.

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