Acrimony between RJD, JD(U) casts questions over merger

PATNA: Days after announcement of merger of Janata Parivar, friction was visible among two of its important constituents JD(U) and RJD in the Assembly today with latter pillorying Nitish Kumar government on various issues.

Acrimony was quite visible between RJD and JD(U) government throughout question and Zero hours in the House, when RJD members even trooped into the well against the government.

Opposition BJP members exploited the opportunity and even stood on their seats in favour of the RJD members and shouted anti-government slogans.

Later, leader of opposition Nand Kishore Yadav told reporters in his chamber, the acrimonious exchanges between JD(U) and RJD, which is supporting government, appeared a fallout of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar avoiding to share dais with Lalu Prasad in a rally of Prajapati Samaj here yesterday.

RJD MLA Bhai Birendra raised the issue of murder of one Kashinath Yadav in Jagdishpur Assembly segment of Bhojpur district on March 22, and demanded speedy trial in the case.

When nobody from the government spoke on the subject with minister in-charge of Home Vijay Chaudhary having already left the house, RJD members got angry. RJD Legislature Party leader Abdul Bari Siddiqui shouted "it seems government has become 'goongi aur bahri' (deaf and mute)."

Soon RJD members trooped into well demanding speedy trial in the murder case.

BJP members lent their support to RJD MLAs and they also shouted anti-government slogans.

Such angry exchange of words between RJD and JD(U) members were seen on many other occasions too.

On the issue of huge dues of sugarcane farmers, RJD member Raghvendra Pratap Singh fired salvos at the government.

Again during Zero hour, when senior minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav sought time for government to reply to various issues raised, Siddiqui said government was avoiding answer.

While, acrimonious exchanges between RJD and JD(U) members baffled everybody and indicated all is not well between them, RJD whip Bhai Birendra said actually some ministers avoided replying to questions which made us angry.

Another senior RJD member and former minister Raghvendra Pratap Singh said "we will not allow the government to escape on issues that concern common man."

In the political circle, the backdrop of today's acrimony was seen in CM absenting himself from Prajapati rally at Gandhi maidan yesterday where he was slated to be present with Lalu Prasad, the first public show after announcement that merger of six Janat Parivar parties.

Kumar had gone to attend another function at Punpun yesterday. State JD(U) President Basistha Narayan Singh and Rajya Sabha member RCP Singh were with Lalu Prasad.