Nitish Kumar remains silent on JD(U)-BJP split

India News: The JD(U) has been a member of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance or NDA for a decade and a half. But the BJP over-ruling the objection of party stalwart LK Advani to appoint Mr Modi as head of its election campaign committee this week, has sent alarm bells ringing.

Modi's fans and critics see in his elevation the likelihood that he will next be named the party's candidate for Prime Minister in next year's general elections. That will make him the face of the NDA which is not acceptable to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar who has reportedly ordered legislators from his party not to leave the state capital of Patna so that they can be consulted about ending the partnership that has won two consecutive elections in Bihar.