Bihar JDU chief raises concerns after two independent MLCs join BJP

New Delhi: Days after recently elected independent MLCs admitted that they had joined BJP, ally JDU raised concerns on Monday.

Independent MLCs Bansidhar Brijwasi (Tirhut graduates’ seat) and Rahul Raj (Saran teachers’ seat) on Saturday joined BJP in the presence of Bihar BJP leaders. Both seats were contested by JDU in alliance.

Bihar JDU chief Umesh Kushwaha said in Patna: “It is an entirely internal matter of BJP as to who joins the party and who is expelled. But BJP has taken disciplinary action against some leaders in recent times. Now, they are back in the party within 15 days. It is concerning for NDA. The BJP leadership should deliberate and reflect.”


BJP has been trying to defuse the crisis, claiming that MLCs never joined the party but have only extended their support. Before polls, BJP expelled Rahul Raj for contesting against NDA’s Anand Pushkar (JDU).

After losing the election, JDU nominee from Tirhut graduates’ constituency, Abhishek Jha, alleged in a social media post that NDA parties didn’t help JDU candidates. On Monday, Jha and Pushkar were supposed to hold a joint press meet. But they called it off after JDU working president Sanjay Jha and Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary spoke to them. JDU has called a meeting of party leaders on November 5 to discuss the results.