Two Independent Bihar Council Winners Join BJP, JD(U) Raises Questions

Tension between NDA constituents JD(U) and the BJP has been reported after the Bihar Legislative Council election results. The cause is two Independent winners joining the BJP. Rahul Raj won the Saran teachers' constituency as an Independent candidate. Banshidhar Brajwasi won the Tirhut graduates' constituency as an Independent member of the Legislative Council. The JD(U) has raised questions over both joining the BJP.

JD(U) state president Umesh Kushwaha questioned Rahul Raj's return to the BJP, asking in what circumstances a man who had been expelled from the party for six years was taken back so soon. He said the BJP and its top leadership should think about this.

Meanwhile, former minister and senior JD(U) legislator Shyam Rajak said any party has the right to support Independent members. According to him, if the BJP has backed them, that is within the rules. But Rajak also said that an Independent cannot join a political party after winning an election. He said that if both have joined the BJP, it is completely unethical and wrong.

RJD spokesperson Shakti Yadav took the JD(U) to task over the whole matter. He said to look at the state of the Janata Dal (United), which once ran on its own terms. In his words, it used to challenge the BJP, used the support of the RJD and frightened people. Yadav said that the same JD(U) is now pleading. He said Umesh Kushwaha is saying that the alliance must be honoured and that the senior leadership should consider the matter.

Yadav went on to say that the BJP no longer depends on the JD(U)'s wishes; rather, the Janata Dal (United) depends on the BJP's wishes. He said the BJP has realised that the JD(U) has lost its very existence, and that its existence rests on the BJP's will. He said it would make no difference now whether Umesh Kushwaha goes to the BJP and begs or not.