PATNA: Amid speculation about a political realignment in Bihar, chief minister Nitish Kumar is likely to meet leader of the opposition Tejashwi Prasad Yadav and other family members of RJD chief Lalu Prasad at an iftar being hosted by his party, JD(U), on Thursday.
JD(U) sent formal invitation cards on Wednesday in the name of Lalu, his wife and former CM Rabri Devi, Tejashwi and some other family members. Tejashwi is to attend the iftar to be organised at Haj Bhavan in Patna. “Nitish will be present as chief guest at the iftar on Thursday,” JD(U) said in a press statement.
Earlier, on April 22, Nitish had attended an iftar hosted by former CM Rabri Devi and her son Tejashwi at their 10, Circular Road bungalow; it was his first visit in five years. Earlier, Nitish had gone there in January 2017 to participate in the Makar Sankranti feast.
“If Nitish and Tejashwi meet at JD(U)’s iftar, it would be their second meeting within six days,” a JD(U) politician said.
Meanwhile, JD(U) has also sent invitation letters to RJD state president Jagadanand Singh, former RJD state president Ramchandra Purbey and senior politicians Shivanand Tiwari and Shyam Rajak.
Lalu, undergoing treatment at AIIMS Delhi, is expected to be released from judicial custody on Thursday but may not be able to reach Patna to attend the JD(U)’s iftar. Earlier, Nitish had attended the iftar hosted by Rabri on April 22.
