press trust of india
Patna, August 14: The JD(U) Monday said Sharad Yadav has “voluntarily left” the party and rejected his claim of a split in it, asserting that almost every office bearer and all MLAs are with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
The party stepped up its attack on Yadav, who has opposed the decision to join hands with the BJP, as it suspended 21 leaders in the state, considered loyal to him, for alleged anti-party activities.
JD(U) spokesperson K C Tyagi said Yadav can still return to the party but will be “useless” for it if he attends RJD chief Lalu Prasad’s rally August 27. He claimed “98 per cent of office bearers, 100 per cent of MLAs and 75 per cent of state committees” are with Kumar, who is also the party president, as he refuted Yadav’s claim of enjoying support of 14 state units.
Bihar JD(U) president Basistha Narayan Singh Monday suspended from primary membership 21 leaders and office bearers including former minister Ramai Ram, ex-MP from Sheohar Arjun Rai, former MLA Raj Kishore Sinha and ex-MLC Vijay Varma.
Despite the JD(U) distancing itself from the recent tour of Sharad Yadav to the state, these 21 leaders and district level office bearers were seen with him. Tyagi, however, also held out an olive branch to Yadav saying he has “sacrificed” a lot for the socialist cause and will be respected like an elder brother if he comes back.
“There is no split in the party. It is as united behind Nitish Kumar as it was until recently. A party does not split if one or two persons leave it…. As far as Sharad ji is concerned, he has left the party voluntarily,” he said.
