Patna:

While the Bharatiya Janata Party may have averted its internal crisis, sources have told CNN-IBN that the Janata Dal United-Bharatiya Janata Party alliance is likely to end soon. This after Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar convened a meeting with senior JD(U) leaders in Patna on Tuesday evening.

JD(U) leaders have reportedly been asked to contact independent MLAs and garner their support in JD(U)'s favour. Three MLAs have already vouched to back the JD(U).

Sources have told CNN-IBN that the announcement regarding the snapping of ties may come any day after June 15 once Nitish Kumar returns from his Seva Yatra. Sources say the official announcement will be made in Delhi by JD(U) President Sharad Yadav.

JD(U) exploring options beyond BJP in Bihar, may end alliance soon

JD(U) sources said the consultation will continue and claimed that a 'big announcement' is expected 'any time'. "The decision will be announced in a few days. Be patient, wait for sometime. The decision will be made," said Nitish Kumar.

Nitish held talks with Sharad Yadav and other senior state JD(U) leaders till late Tuesday night weighing the pros and cons of remaining in the alliance. He also held talks with senior ministers in his cabinet like Bijendra Yadav, Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, Narendra Singh, Brishen Patel, Shayam Rajak and Rajya Sabha member and a close confidante RCP Singh.

"The ministers have met Nitish Kumar. The future of the alliance was discussed and it is a call that will be taken by the party soon. The alliance with the BJP stands for now," said JD(U) leader Vijay Chaudhary.

JD(U) leader and Bihar Food Minister Shyam Rajak said, "The recent events have raised serious questions about the alliance within the JD(U). The events in Goa have strained the alliance and now we have to ask ourselves some tough questions."

These consultations within the JD(U) come just days after the anointment of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as BJP's campaign committee chief for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. The LK Advani episode in the past two days has added fuel to the fire. It now remains to be seen when the 'big announcement' from the JD(U) comes.

JD(U)'s strength in the Bihar Assembly is 118 MLAs. If the BJP-JD(U) ties snap, Nitish would need the support of four MLAs to get a majority of 122. Sources say three MLAs have reportedly confirmed their support. In case of falling short by one MLA, the JD(U) is hoping that the Congress would abstain from voting, paving way for the survival of the Nitish government.

source:http://ibnlive.in.com