FOUR JD(U) LEADERS JOIN RJD

FOUR JD(U) LEADERS JOIN RJD

14-OCT-ENG 15

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

PATNA----------------------With the announcement of assembly election dates, the trend of leaders defecting has intensified. In this context, the Janata Dal United (JDU) suffered a major political blow today when former Purnea MP Santosh Kushwaha left the party and joined the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). Along with him, former Jehanabad MLA Rahul Sharma, Chanakya Prakash, son of JDU MP Giridhari Yadav from Banka, and former Vaishali candidate Ajay Kushwaha, along with thousands of their supporters, joined the RJD in the presence of Tejashwi Yadav.

After joining the RJD, these leaders launched a scathing attack on the Nitish Kumar-led NDA government. They alleged that the current NDA government is plagued by unbridled bureaucracy and corruption, where public representatives have no say. He said, "By taking the votes of the working class, the BJP has mortgaged the JDU to the Sanghis," leading to the continued neglect of old and loyal leaders in the party.

RJD Assures Tickets for Key Seats

These four leaders who joined the RJD are considered influential in many areas of the state. According to sources, the RJD has assured these leaders of key seats in the upcoming assembly elections:

• Santosh Kushwaha (former MP, Purnia) may be fielded against JDU minister Lesy Singh from the Dhamdaha assembly seat. This contest could create an interesting political contest in Seemanchal politics.

• Former Jehanabad MLA Rahul Sharma may be fielded as the RJD candidate from the Ghosi assembly constituency.

• Chanakya Prakash, son of Banka's JDU MP Giridhari Yadav, is rumored to be given a ticket from the Belhar assembly seat. Chanakya Prakash is educated at the London School of Economics.

This development is being seen as part of RJD's strategy to play the "Kushwaha card," aimed at strengthening its social base in Bihar. The influx of young and experienced leaders into the RJD has significantly strengthened the party ahead of the elections.

JDU national spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan Prasad issued a statement saying that Rahul Sharma, Ajay Kushwaha, and Chanakya Prakash Ranjan have no connection to the JDU.