JD(U) MLA resigns from party, joins RJD ahead of Bihar assembly polls
PATNA: Sitting JD(U) MLA Sanjeev Kumar resigned from the party on Friday and joined the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), ahead of the Bihar assembly elections scheduled for November.
Sanjeev Kumar joined RJD in the presence of former deputy chief minister Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, state president Mangani Lal Mandal, and other senior party leaders at the RJD office.
Tejashwi said that Sanjeev Kumar’s joining would strengthen the party’s poll prospects in Khagaria district.
Sanjeev Kumar’s resignation from JD(U) gives the RJD-led Grand Alliance an advantage in the Parbatta assembly constituency of Khagaria district, as he is a prominent leader of the dominant Upper-caste Bhumihar community. His joining is expected to change the caste dynamics in the region.
Rumours had been circulating for some time that Sanjeev Kumar would switch sides ahead of the elections to ensure his re-election to the state assembly.
His absence was evident during CM Nitish Kumar’s recent visit to Satisnagar to pay tributes to former chief minister Satish Prasad.
Sanjeev Kumar was also critical of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and had criticised both the Election Commission and the NDA government for doing the exercise a few months before the election. He had also criticised JD(U)’s policy on several occasions.
Sanjeev Kumar’s name had surfaced in the horse-trading controversy during the NDA government’s floor test in February 2024. He was also served a notice by the Economic Offences Unit (EOU) of the Bihar police in connection with the case.
Following the sitting MLA’s resignation, the ruling NDA will have to find a new candidate for the seat. Speculation suggests that the BJP may field a contender in Parbatta to counter the likely Upper-caste candidate. JD(U), however, maintained that Sanjeev Kumar’s exit will not affect the party’s prospects in the upcoming assembly elections.
“This is a common trend during elections. Politicians switch sides in the hope of securing tickets from other party,” a JD(U) leader said.