Patna: Chief minister Nitish Kumar has decided to throw an iftar party at his official residence on Monday.

This comes even as the JDU's defeat in Jokihat is seen as an indication that minorities have lost faith in Nitish. The iftar party is being organised on behalf of the state government and not the party. The JDU will throw an iftar at Haj Bhavan on June 13.

Arrangements are being made for at least 50,000 guests at Monday's event.

"Ever since Nitish ji became chief minister, he has been throwing iftar parties for the minorities and a large number of people turn up," said a senior JDU leader who is a regular at Nitish's residence. "He has done a lot of work for people of the minority community, it's a different matter they are not equally loyal to him. However, he does not mind this and will continue to work for them."

Since Nitish switched sides to the NDA, his party has lost three bypolls - for Araria Lok Sabha seat and Jehanabad and Jokihat Assembly seats. The JDU occupied Jokihat since 2005, but Nitish's candidate lost the seat by over 41,000 votes.

A senior JDU leader, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said: "Lalu always used Muslims for his own interests but did anything to bring them into the mainstream. Nitish ji did a lot of work, including construcion of boundary wall of Muslim graveyards. Even these basic needs were not fulfilled by RJD. Sometimes, I think Nitishji should withdraw all benefits to this community. But I know his conscience will never allow him to do so."

RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, on the other hand, tweeted in Bhojpuri asking Nitish to break his silence on the defeat. " Ka Nitish chachaji, antaratma abhiyo jaagi ki naa, ki abhiyo Modiji ke dar se antaratma sutale rahi. Chup kaahe bade chacha, ee bachwa ta sabhe chunav ye jeeta ta, kahwa gaeel tohar chamak. Aaj samaj mein aa gaeell ki 2015 mein kekra naam par vote milal rahe. Ee ta trailer haie suruwat hui film baaki hai (What happened Nitish uncle, will your conscience wake up or not? It seems your conscience is sleeping fearing Modijji. Why are you silent uncle? This boy is winning all elections, where's your charm, now I know for whose face the votes came in 2015. This is just the trailer, the movie remains)."