In a massive development, Lalan Singh stepped down as the national president of the JDU in the national executive meeting in Delhi. Nitish Kumar took charge of the top post of the party. The move comes as the speculations were rife that Singh may step down from the position in today's meet.
Earlier today, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Lalan Singh arrived at Constitution Club in Delhi together for the National Executive meeting on Friday (December 29). Ahead of the meeting, Lalan Singh, Minister Sanjay Jha reached Nitish's residence in Delhi to meet him. Both the leaders were seen arriving at the Constitution Club together, in a message of unity within the party.
The meeting began at 11.30 am in New Delhi.
JDU leader KC Tyagi said that discussions would be held on the seat-sharing of the party in various states in the upcoming polls.
"Today, JD(U) national executive meeting will take place wherein discussions will be held on the current political scenario and financial environment of the country...and on seat sharing to target other states as well," he said.
Significance of JDU meeting
Today marked a massive day for the Janata Dal United (JDU) as the party held its National Executive meeting in the national capital in presence of Nitish Kumar to decide the future of party’s national president Lalan Singh. Nitish Kumar is likely to take over the mantle. Though Singh had earlier rejected such speculations accusing the media of setting a "narrative" at the behest of the ruling BJP, the political corridors continued to buzz.
Nitish Kumar and other senior leaders of the party arrived in the national capital yesterday and held a JDU office-bearers' meeting in which Lalan Singh, Minister Sanjay Jha, and KC Tyagi were present besides Nitish.
Notably, the poster outside the party’s Delhi office only features Nitish Kumar and Lalan Singh finds no place, further intensifying the buzz.
JDU meet to focus on Lok Sabha elections strategy
The JDU National Executive meeting today at 11.30 am and National Council meeting at 3 pm will focus primarily on the party’s strategy for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. In the Thursday meeting, Nitish told the party leaders that the political proposal in the Friday meeting should reflect the party’s agenda in the next year’s general elections. The meeting lasted about half an hour. Nitish is likely to send a message to the party and the I.N.D.I.A bloc regarding unity in his party through today’s meeting.
Future prospects for JDU
The meeting comes at a time when the JDU is reeling under the talks of probable split in the political corridors, amid which Nitish may attempt to take charge of the party to save it from confronting the situation.
Before the meeting, JDU MLA Siddharth Patel clearly said that Speaker wants to contest the Lok Sabha elections. Therefore, he has expressed his desire to be relieved from the post of party president. But whether he gets permission for this or not will be decided in the party meeting.
Speculations about CM Nitish's comeback again to NDA
Nitish Kumar has rejected all the speculations regarding his return to the NDA fold again and called the party meeting a routine meeting. He avoided the question of joining NDA with a smile.
On the ongoing news regarding change of leadership in JDU, Bihar Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav said that everything is fine in the government. He said that the relations between JDU and RJD are also strong. Union Minister Giriraj Singh justified the speculations and said that Lalu has fitted all his pieces and all the doors of NDA are closed for Nitish.
(With inputs from agencies)
