TRADE UNION LEADER SHASHANK RAO JOINS JD(U)

Looking to expand its base in Maharashtra, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar-led Jan ata Dal (United) inducted trade union leader Shashank Rao into the party fold on Monday.

Kumar will be addressing a rally in the city on April 22 announcing the party’s arrival in Maharashtra.

With both the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) currently demoralised, the JD(U) plans to present itself as an alternative to the Bharatiya Jan ata Paty (BJP) and the Shiv Sena

Son of late union leader Sharad Rao, Shashank heads the unions of the Brihanmumbai Municipa Corporation (BMC), Brihan mumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST), hawkers taxis and auto-rickshaws. “We will utilise all our strength to build the party in the state,” said Shashank.

Teachers’ union leader, Kapi Patil, who is currently heading the party in the state, said the JD(U) will spread itself across Maharashtra in the next two years.

“Our focus is to build a strong organisation and present our selves as an alternative to the BJP-SENA government. We have the Bihar model in front of us where along with development there is no discrimination, and progress is for all,” said Patil.

However, political analysts doubt the party’s impact in the state’s complex political tangle.

“Kumar may be admired in the state for his administrative skills but he doesn’t have the appeal to translate it into votes,” said politi cal commentator Prakash Bal adding, “In recent times, Maha rashtra witnessed a four cor nered fight and JD (U) will only