Amid the ongoing rift between Janata Dal (United) or JD(U) leader Upendra Kushwaha and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the former has called a meeting of top party leaders on January 19-20, wherein he asserted an attempt to save the party. He alleged that Kumar was not only disregarding his suggestions but also ignoring the looming threats on the fundamentals of the party.
"I have been working to protect the JD(U) for so long, but CM Nitish Kumar is not paying much attention to this. That’s why I have called a meeting of party workers so that we can find a solution to save this party," said JD(U) National Parliamentary Board President.
According to Kushwaha, he has been alerting the incumbent chief minister about the foolhardy movements inside the party but Kumar has never bothered to look after his repeated alarms.
In similar allegations, Kushwaha had earlier alleged that Kumar gave him “a position without power”. As per Kushwaha, the CM had made him the chairman of the JD(U) Parliamentary Board but added that the post was "meaningless".
Not joining BJP
Meanwhile, refuting media reports of his closeness with Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), the veteran leader called it rumours and noted those who were spreading rumours of him joining the Saffron brigade were those who did not have answers to his questions. "Why should I join BJP? I’m trying to protect JD(U)," he said.
Notably, speculations about Kumar having agreed to make way for Tejashwi Yadav have gained ground with the CM himself dropping ample hints in the past that he was ready to pass on the mantle to his deputy, the younger son of Lalu Prasad.
Kushwaha, who had merged his Rashtriya Lok Samata Party with the JD(U) less than two years ago, accused the RJD of having strayed from the socialist ideal of decentralization of power and “concentrating all authority within a family”.
Meanwhile, the National President of JD-U, Rajiv Ranjan alias Lalan Singh, refuted Kushwaha's claim and posted a humourous message on the microblogging site.
Also Read: JD(U)'s Upendra Kushwaha asked to quit party by CM Nitish, leader demands 'stake' first
