LJP sacks leader for remarks on NDA

Political turmoil in Bihar seems never ending considering the upcoming assembly elections in the state. In the latest development, a district president of Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) was sacked for stating that the NDA is united in Bihar.

According to a statement issued by the LJP, the action was initiated against senior leader and Munger district president Raghvendra Bharti for not following the guidelines issued by the central leadership and violating the discipline of the party.

“Munger district president Raghvendra Bharti has been relieved from his post for stating that NDA is intact. His statement is against the party line and he is being relieved from his post till further notice. It has been decided that only our national president Chirag Paswan is authorised to give statements regarding the alliance”, said a statement issued by LJP. A copy of the letter is also available with this newspaper.

The action has triggered speculation about a rift in the NDA ahead of Bihar assembly polls which are slated to be held by the end of this year.

LJP national president Chirag Paswan had also recently made the NDA uncomfortable by expressing his unease with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar over the handling of guest worker’s crisis and law and order scenario in the state.

A week earlier while addressing party workers through a video conference he said that the face of NDA was changing and that they should be prepared for any situation in Bihar elections.

According to LJP insiders, “Paswan feels that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar doesn’t give much importance to him and often ignores his suggestions”.

A section in the NDA, however, feels that Chirag Paswan has been eyeing two of the twelve vacant seats in Bihar legislative council from the governor’s quota and also wants sizeable seat share to contest in the assembly elections. Sources said that he has already conveyed his demands to the BJP central unit.

According to reports BJP national general secretary Bhupendra Yadav met Paswan earlier this week at his Delhi residence and assured him that LJP would get a fair deal in the upcoming assembly elections.

Later on Wednesday during a confidential meeting held between Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and BJP leaders in Patna, Bhupendra Yadav is said to have discussed the scenario. NDA insiders aware of the development told this newspaper that issues related to seat-sharing were discussed during the meeting.

Assembly elections in Bihar for 243 seats are to be held in October-November this year. Union home minister Amit Shah has already announced that the NDA in Bihar would contest the 2020 assembly elections under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.