Live: Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) Passes Resolution to Ally With BJP
JD(U) may be headed for a split after the disintegration of the Grand Alliance in Bihar.
- The Nitish Kumar-led JD(U) has passed the resolution to join the NDA as an ally after the national executive meeting of the party members
- The decision was taken at the meeting of the JD(U) national executive committee at the Bihar CM’s official residence
- Sharad Yadav skipped the meeting, fuelling rumours of a split in JD(U)
- The rebel JD(U) leader arrived in Patna around noon on Saturday
- Loyalists of Sharad Yadav are scheduled to meet separately for a ‘Jan Adalat’ programme
Two JD(U) Members Expected to be Inducted in PM's Cabinet
Quoting sources, India Today reported that JD(U) Rajya Sabha MP RCP Singh and Lok Sabha MP Santosh Kushwaha are expected to be inducted in PM’s cabinet after JD(U) formally an BJP ally.
JD(U) Joins BJP
JD(U) has formally passed a resolution to join BJP as an ally.
Not JD(U) Meet, It's a BJP Meeting: Lalu
Terming it a “BJP meet,” RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav dismissed the JD(U) National Executive Meeting, which is currently underway at Nitish Kumar’s official residence.
This is not JDU National Executive Meet, it is BJP’s. They are going to join NDA. To save themselves Nitish Kumar and Sushil Modi are rubbing their nose in front of Modi, they know they did a scam.
RJD and Sharad Yadav Supporters Protest Outside Nitish's Residence
Supporters of Sharad Yadav and RJD workers protest outside CM Nitish Kumar's residence, where the JD(U) National Executive Meet is underway. The security outside Nitish Kumar’s residence has been tightened.
Sharad Yadav to Hold Jan Adalat
Rebel JD(U) member Sharad Yadav arrived in Patna around noon on Saturday amid loud slogans in his support. He is now expected to hold a 'Jan Adalat' programme.
Nitish Chairs National Executive Meet
The meeting of the JD(U) national executive committee has kicked off at the Bihar Chief Minister’s official residence.
Sharad Yadav has reportedly skipped the meeting of the Nitish Kumar faction, amid rumours that the JD(U) is heading for a vertical split.
However, JD(U) principal secretary general KC Tyagi said on Saturday there was no rift in the party.
We want it on record that though Sharad Yadav does not agree with the party’s decisions, there is no rift in the party.KC Tyagi
He added that the JD(U) had extended an invitation to Sharad Yadav for the national executive meet.
Ansari's Attack on Nitish Kumar
Sharpening the attack on Nitish Kumar, JD(U) Rajya Sabha MP Ali Anwar Ansari asserted in Delhi that those opposed to the Bihar chief minister represented the "real" JD(U), and added "Nitish represents BJP Janata Dal".
He refused to acknowledge a "split" in the party and said there is "sharp resentment" among JD(U) workers on the removal of Sharad Yadav as the leader of party MPs in the Rajya Sabha for questioning Nitish Kumar's decision to form an alliance with the BJP.
Ansari said all the leaders of the party including Sharad Yadav would discuss the goings-on in the JD(U) at the convention, and later visit the flood affected areas of Bihar.
Another Sharad Yadav loyalist Vijay Verma, who was among 21 JD(U) leaders suspended recently, said:
Our programme is to strengthen secular forces in the country.
Poster War Erupts
A poster war has erupted in Patna with the rival groups publicising their respective programmes.
"We have nothing to do with the Jan Adalat programme," Bihar JD(U) chief spokesman Sanjay Singh said.
The posters by rebel JD(U) leaders led by ousted party parliamentary board chief Sharad Yadav make clear their stand against Kumar’s decision to sever ties with the Grand Alliance partners – the RJD and the Congress.
"Jan Adalat ka Faisla ... Mahagatbandhan jaari hain (Jan Adalat's decision... The Grand Alliance is continuing)," the posters say. They carry photographs of Sharad Yadav, JD(U) Rajya Sabha MP Ali Anwar Ansari and former state minister Ramai Ram, who was suspended by Bihar JD(U) chief Basistha Narayan Singh.
'JD(U) to Join NDA Fold'
"The national executive would also give its consent to the invitation of BJP President Amit Shah to the JD(U) to join the NDA fold," JD(U) principal secretary general K C Tyagi said. Shah had extended the invitation when Kumar had met him in Delhi recently.
Heading for a Vertical Split?
Rumours are abuzz that the JD(U) may be heading for a vertical split. JD(U) principal secretary general K C Tyagi has, however, maintained that there is no split – and that Yadav "has left voluntarily".
Tyagi told PTI that the national executive meeting at the One Anne Marg residence of the chief minister is the party's official programme.
The party was originally set to hold its national executive in Delhi on July 23-24 last. But the date was changed to August 19 and the venue was shifted to Patna.
Asked about the agenda of the national executive meeting, Tyagi said it would put its seal of approval on the party's Bihar unit decision to break away from the Grand Alliance and form a government with BJP "in the interests of the state".
Parallel Meetings of Rival JD(U) Factions Planned
Rival JD(U) factions headed by Nitish Kumar and Sharad Yadav have called parallel meetings in Patna on Saturday indicating that the party may be heading for a split after the disintegration of the Grand Alliance in Bihar.
A national executive committee meeting of the JD(U) has been called at its national president and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's official residence where the party is expected to formally accept the invitation to join the BJP-led NDA.
Loyalists of Sharad Yadav, who has opposed joining hands with the BJP, are also organising a programme, 'Jan Adalat' at S K Memorial hall.