Politics
JD(U) Faces Internal Strife as BJP Blamed for MLC Losses
The Janata Dal (United) suffered a poor showing in the Legislative Council elections, losing three of its four seats. The defeat has strained relations with its National Democratic Alliance partner, the Bharatiya Janata Party, which the JD(U) accuses of shifting blame for the loss.
The JD(U) will convene a meeting on Thursday to review the outcome. Attendees are expected to include national working president Sanjay Kumar Jha, state president Umesh Kushwaha, Health Minister Nishant Kumar, deputy chief ministers Bijendra Prasad Yadav and Vijay Kumar Choudhary.
The timing of the meeting is contentious. Two newly elected independent MLCs, Bansidhar Brajwasi (Tirhut Graduates) and Rahul Raj (Saran Teachers), who defeated JD(U) candidates, joined the BJP shortly after the polls. Their induction has prompted calls for their disqualification. JD(U) candidates Abhishek Jha and Pushkar Anand lost to Brajwasi and Rahul Raj, respectively, while Ghanshyam Rai lost to Jan Suraaj Party’s S P Rai. The only JD(U) win was that of chief spokesperson Neeraj Kumar in the Patna Graduates seat.
A senior JD(U) leader said, “The way the BJP showed urgency in taking Independents Bansidhar Brajwasi and Rahul Raj into its fold clearly showed that it never supported us.” The leader added that the BJP’s actions caused the NDA to lose two seats and that, had the BJP contested as a true ally, the NDA could have secured at least five of the eight seats.
The review meeting may also expose a power struggle between JD(U) leaders Sanjay Jha and Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan ‘Lalan’ Singh. Lalan Singh is expected to skip the meeting after Neeraj Kumar’s victory, which some view as a challenge to his influence. The meeting will also address the party’s future leadership, with Health Minister Nishant Kumar, son of JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar, likely to attend.
Both Jha and Lalan Singh are said to agree that the party’s politics will revolve around Nishant Kumar, according to the senior leader.
Frequently asked questions
How many seats did JD(U) lose in the Legislative Council elections?
They lost three of their four seats.
Who are the expected attendees of the JD(U) review meeting?
National working president Sanjay Kumar Jha, state president Umesh Kushwaha, Health Minister Nishant Kumar, deputy chief ministers Bijendra Prasad Yadav and Vijay Kumar Choudhary.
Which independent MLCs joined BJP after the elections?
Bansidhar Brajwasi (Tirhut Graduates) and Rahul Raj (Saran Teachers).