Janata Dal (United) ‘unhappy’ over ‘anti-love jihad’ law in BJP-ruled states

New Delhi: In a major political development, RCP Singh has been unanimously appointed national president of Janata Dal (United), replacing Nitish Kumar.

Kumar, the chief minister of Bihar, proposed the name of the Rajya Sabha member as JD(U)’s new president, said party spokesman KC Tyagi during a press conference after its national executive and national council meeting in Patna.

Singh (62) was the party’s national general secretary (organization) previously.


He is considered close to Kumar. Before joining politics, Singh was an IAS officer from the UP cadre.

His appointment is being viewed by many as a move to have a party chief who can devote his full attention to organizational work and maintain proper communication with state government ally BJP in Delhi.

Meanwhile, the JD(U) has expressed its unhappiness over the “anti-Love Jihad” law being framed in various BJP-ruled states. Referring to the laws, Tyagi said inter-religious marriage is an individual choice between two independent adults and an atmosphere of hatred should not be created.

The party has also expressed serious displeasure and concern over how its six MLAs switched over to the BJP in Arunachal Pradesh. Tyagi said this was not a good sign for coalition politics.

The party has also taken a decision to contest the upcoming polls in states like Assam and West Bengal. The number of seats will be decided by the party’s state units, he said.