Sharadled JD(U) faction plans to expel Nitish Kumar
NEWDELHI: A group of JD(U) leaders are considering expelling their president Nitish Kumar, sources in the party said on Thursday, threatening to bring into open a growing resentment against the Bihar CM who dramatically dumped the party’s alliance partners last month to realign with the BJP. ››
NEWDELHI: A group of Janta Dal (United) leaders are considering expelling their president Nitish Kumar, sources in the partysaid on Thursday, threatening to bring into open a growing resentment against the Bi h ar chief minister who dramatically dumped the party’s old alliance partners last month to realign with the BJP.
Former JD(U) president Sharad Yadav, the second-most prominent face in the party, is regarded as the head of the fac- ti on unhappy with Kumar’ s decision. Yadav was set to begin on Thursday a three-day tour of Bi h arin which he will meet members of the party.
“Kumar’s unilateral decision to walk out of the Mahagathbandhan 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.
Srivastava was suspended on Tuesday for his“anti-party act iv- ity” in appointing an election agent for the recent Rajya Sabha by-polls in Gujarat without consulting the party president.
The fight between ML As loyal to Kumar and those backing Yadav is likely to lead to a showdown at the party’s August 19 national executive meeting.
Kumar’s hold over the party rank and file is expected to be tested at the Patna meeting of the party national executive on August 19. The rebel faction, sources said, have planned sharp attacks against Kumar over his decision to align with the saffron party.