A number of JD(U) leaders are planning to expel their president, Nitish Kumar who dramatically dumped the party’s alliance partners last month to associate with the Bharatiya Janata Party. Notably, former JD(U) president, Sharad Yadav, who is seen as the head of the party is not happy with Kumar’s move. Yadav will also begin a three-day tour of Bihar today in which he will meet members of the party.
“Kumar’s unilateral decision to walk out of the Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) violates the mandate of the 2015 assembly elections. Twelve state unit presidents met Yadav recently to condemn the decision. We are exploring legal and constitutional options (on expelling Kumar as the party president)”, former party general secretary, Arun Srivastava said, reported Hindustan Times.
Srivastava was suspended for his “anti-party activity,” on Tuesday. He appointed an election agent for the recent Rajya Sabha by-polls without consulting the party president. The clash between legislators backing Kumar and those loyal to Yadav is likely to lead to a face-off at the party’s 19 August national executive meet in Patna.
If there will be a formal split, the two groups will have to approach the Election Commission to claim party name and the symbol like it happened in Tamil Nadu recently.
At 19 August meeting, the rebel faction has planned a sharp attack against Kumar over his decision to align with the saffron party, reported Hindustan Times.
