Rebel JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav on Thursday announced that he will attend the ‘BJP Bhagao, Desh Bachao’ mega rally organised by RJD Chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and will clearly convey the message that the grand alliance is still intact.
After Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar broke the mahagathbandhan with RJD-Congress, the unity of JD(U) seems to be in fishy waters. One of the founding members of the party and former party president Sharad Yadav felt cheated and back stabbed when Kumar broke the alliance, as the break up was not discussed with him earlier. However, Kumar claims that he did not have any inkling that he would again join hands with BJP and become a part of NDA. The decision was all taken on the spot when BJP extended its support to him after he resigned from the party.
Whereas on the other hand, Sharad claims that the break up was being planned behind the doors from a long time and Nitish was just waiting for the right opportunity, which came as Tejashwi Yadav, former Deputy CM was accused of having corruption charges against him by the CBI. Nitish firm on zero tolerance against corruption demanded Tejashwi’s resignation which the latter refused to give, following which Nitish resigned from the party.
As per the recent developments in the political equations in Bihar, JD(U) is almost divided into two factions one headed by Nitish Kumar and the other headed by Sharad Yadav. However, Nitish expelled Sharad as the Party parliamentary head but he is still holding the Rajya Sabha seat. Sharad, on the other hand, adamant on keeping the grand alliance with RJD-Congress intact has rebelled against the party and is openly taking steps to show his displeasure against JD(U). He earlier this month also organised a meeting attended by 14 opposition parties giving it the name of ‘save India’s composite culture’.
Responding to Sharad’s move against the party, JD(U) said that the party has no objection on Sharad’s moves and is ready to answer all his questions but if he crosses the red line by sharing the stage with corrupt leaders by attending the mega rally, the party will take strict against him by taking away his Rajya Sabha seat. Regarding this Sharad has said that the grand alliance was formed for five years with the mandate of the people of Bihar and he will make sure to keep the alliance intact. Sharad in his statement to ET on Thursday said that “I have accepted Laluji’s invitation to attend the rally. It is important to demonstrate that Mahagadbandhan, which halted the BJP march, is intact, especially at a time when Opposition parties are working towards an anti-BJP alliance at the national level.”
Giving a clear indication that Sharad is not scared with the threats of JD(U) he said, “Those who think I will be cowed down by threats or can be won over by offering allurements such as ministerial posts, should know I have never bothered about such things in my entire career.”
There also speculations that senior lawyer Kapil Sibal will soon be filing a petition to the Election commission seeking a claim on the symbol of JD(U) on the grounds that the party was originally formed by Sharad Yadav and his supporters.