Bihar opposition threatens to move court as '2 independent MLCs Join BJP'

New Delhi: Independent MLCs Bansidhar Brijwasi, who won from Tirhut graduates' constituency, and Rahul Raj, who won from Saran teachers' constituency, joined BJP in the presence of senior party leaders on Saturday.

Bihar BJP chief Sanjay Saraogi's social media post also mentioned that the two leaders have taken the party's membership.

The Opposition termed their move a violation of the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution. It stated that an independent MLC cannot join any party; doing so will lead to the disqualification of their membership.


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"Two independents, Rahul Raj and Bansidhar Brijwasi, joined BJP on Saturday. They even displayed their joining slip to the media. This is a clear violation of the Tenth Schedule and Article 191(2) of the Constitution. RJD would approach the Chairman of the Bihar Legislative Council, seeking the disqualification of the two independent MLCs. The ball is now in the Chairman's court. We would also move the court for justice," RJD leader Manoj Jha told ET.

Realising the faux pas, Brijwasi later said that he had not taken BJP membership, but had only extended support to it. Saraogi also deleted his social media post and replaced it with a new one, stating that the two independent MLCs had extended their support to BJP.

"There is no question of them joining the party. They came to BJP office and we welcomed them. They have extended their support to BJP. There is nothing wrong with that. Independent MP Pappu Yadav shares stage with Congress. Has he joined Congress? There is no such issue," Sarogi told ET.

Jan Suraaj of Prashant Kishor has also decided to approach the court with an appeal to disqualify the MLCs.