NDA rift ahead of Bihar MLC polls? 3 MLAs from Upendra Kushwaha's party back rebel
The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has run into differences over the Bihar Legislative Council elections, with three Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) MLAs backing an independent candidate against the alliance’s official nominee in the Saran Teachers’ constituency.
RLM state general secretary and chief spokesperson Ram Pukar Sinha filed his nomination as an independent candidate on Monday. Three RLM MLAs attended his nomination and announced their support for him. They include RLM state president and Dinara MLA Alok Kumar Singh, Madhubani MLA Madhav Anand and Bajpatti MLA Rameshwar Mahato.
The development is significant as RLM, headed by Rajya Sabha MP Upendra Kushwaha, is part of the NDA. The alliance has fielded JD(U)’s Anand Pushkar from the Saran Teachers’ seat.KUSHWAHA DENIES ANY REBELLION
Kushwaha, however, denied any revolt within the party and said RLM remains firmly with the NDA and is supporting the alliance’s official candidates. He said none of the party’s MLAs had rebelled.
Alok Singh, on the other hand, said the three MLAs were supporting Sinha because of his long association with the party and to uphold the interests of its workers. The MLAs also clarified that backing Sinha did not mean withdrawing support from the NDA government.
RLM has four MLAs in Bihar, with the fourth being Kushwaha’s wife, Snehlata.
Apart from Pushkar and Sinha, Jan Suraaj’s Afak Ahmad is also contesting the Saran Teachers’ seat.
Voting for the Bihar Legislative Council’s Teachers’ and Graduates’ constituencies will be held on October 23, with counting scheduled for October 27.- Ends
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