NATIONAL executive meetings and conferences are routine events for political parties, where discussions encompass a wide range of issues, including the national economy, political landscape, organisational matters, and various other concerns. However, the JD(U) national executive meeting held in the national capital, Delhi, on December 28-29, attracted significant attention from the Godi electronic media and print media outlets.

The BJP, feeling thoroughly isolated in Bihar and apprehensive about facing parliamentary elections without a credible ally, launched a vigorous campaign against the JD(U). Their strategy aimed to sow confusion within the ranks of the JD(U) by emphasizing the perceived rift between the outgoing president of the party, Rajeev Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, and the party supremo, Nitish Kumar. Media coverage extensively portrayed Lalan Singh's alleged closeness to Lalu Prasad as the central theme of a daily soap opera, with articles in Hindi and English newspapers from Bihar speculating about an imminent political realignment in the state that would favour the BJP. The entire affair seemed orchestrated to engineer a split within the JD(U), with suspicions of BJP moles operating within the JD(U).

So far, these bizarre tactics have failed to produce any tangible results. The smooth transition of leadership, with Nitish Kumar once again assuming the role of national president and boldly declaring the intention to unitedly combat the BJP in the upcoming parliamentary election, serves as a rebuke to vocal BJP figures like Sushil Kumar Modi and Giriraj Singh.

The resolutions adopted during the national executive session are noteworthy, as they vehemently denounce the BJP's covert agenda to impose a Manuwadi rule on the country, replacing the constitution framed by Baba Saheb Ambedkar. The constitution guarantees equal political rights for all, with reservations for SCs, STs, backward classes, and other marginalised sections in government jobs, education, and all spheres of public life.

In a separate resolution, the party advocated for the "timely and proper payment of the share of central taxes to all non-BJP states, including Bihar." The issue of special status for Bihar was also raised.

It strongly condemned the authoritarian attitude of the BJP government at the centre, which has been punishing opposition MPs, thereby disregarding the norms and structure of parliamentary tradition. While we appreciate the content of these resolutions and the commitment to collectively oppose the BJP, we had hoped that the JD(U) would also address the assault on the federal structure of the constitution and the role of governors during the current regime.

The party has overlooked the worsening economic situation, leading to increased unemployment, soaring prices of essential commodities, and the neglect of demands raised by farmers in their protest against the three controversial agricultural laws.

In the upcoming parliamentary election, the social justice platform of the JD(U), coupled with the demand for a nationwide caste survey, can be fortified by acknowledging the economic deprivation of the 80 per cent of the population left to endure a difficult life in the pursuit of so-called development, which primarily benefits a select few crony capitalists.

With only three to four months remaining until the parliamentary election, Nitish Kumar in Bihar must play a pivotal role in uniting a broad coalition of secular, democratic, and Left forces to prevent the BJP from securing a single seat in Bihar. The people of Bihar and beyond are closely observing his every move and anticipate his emergence as an unwavering leader against the RSS-backed BJP, which poses a significant threat at this critical juncture in our national life.