In a major embarrassment to Bihar’s ruling Janata Dal (United), a section of its disgruntled leaders on Monday fielded their own candidates for the existing vacancies in Rajya Sabha, challenging the nomination of its national president Sharad Yadav and two others to the Upper House.
According to reports, the JD(U rebels who are dissatisfied with the pary high command and could not get a berth in Jitan Ram Manjhi’s government today fielded Sabir Ali and Anil Singh for the Upper House.
When quizzed by the reporters, Sharad Yadav, who lost the Lok Sabha election from Madhepura constituency last month, refused to comment much but said that he will talk to all factions.
Besides Sharad Yadav, two others who have been nominated to the Upper House are Pawan Kumar Verma and party national general secretary Ghulam Rasool Baliyawi.
Verma has been the cultural advisor to former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
A formal announcement in this regard will be made by the party soon.
Meanwhile, the party has expelled its Mahua legislator for questioning Nitish Kumar’s leadership.
The development is also an indication that all is not well in the party and it is on the verge of a split.
It may be noted that a section of JD (U) leaders are unhappy with the autocratic functioning of former chief minister Nitish Kumar and allege that they have been ignored for vote bank politics.
Jitan Ram Manjhi, a backward caste leader who is considered to be very close to Nitish Kumar, was recently chosen as the legislative party leader to be the Chief Minister of the state after a high voltage political drama.
