Tension in JD(U) ahead of poll results, ministers engage in verbal spat

Tension in Bihar's ruling Janata Dal (United) emerged on the eve of counting of votes of the Lok Sabha election when ministers engaged in a verbal duel at a cabinet meeting presided over by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

"Two ministers raised the issue of bad rural roads during the meeting and blamed them for the anger among the people... this led to heated exchange of words with the minister in charge of rural roads. But after other cabinet colleagues pacified them, the situation returned to normal," a JD(U) leader close to a cabinet minister said on condition that he not be identified.

Four or five ministers even failed to attend the cabinet meeting, triggering speculation in political circles in Patna. However, the government made light of it.

"Some ministers were busy in their respective areas for counting of votes and others have urgent personal work, Food Supply Minister Shayam Razak, who is considered close to Nitish Kumar, told media persons here.

Razak said the cabinet discussed 48 issues, mostly routine affairs of the state government.

He said that the JD(U) is confident of performing better than it was portrayed in media and projected in exit polls.