Cracks in NDA ties in Bihar, claims RJD

Patna: RJD national vice president Raghuvansh Prasad Singh on Monday claimed that the NDA in Bihar is likely to split as many of their members were viewing the grand secular alliance as a more viable alternative.

According to Mr Singh, two prominent leaders Upendra Kushwaha and Jitan Ram Manjhi have been discussing the issue with RJD and are likely to officially announce their exit from the NDA soon.

“They have been in touch with RJD and a formal announcement regarding their exit from NDA is expected soon. As far as my understanding goes, both Jitan Ram Manjhi and Upen-dra Kushwaha are not happy with BJP and JD(U),” RJD national vice-president Raghuv-ansh Prasad Singh said.

However, both Mr Manjhi and Upendra Kushwaha dismissed the claims made by Mr Singh. According to Hindustani Awam Morcha chief Manjhi, “No such discussions ever took place between us and the RJD. Raghuvansh Prasad Singh is making such statements because he has been sidelined by his own party leaders. I have no intention to leave NDA and I think that Raghuvansh Prasad Singh is trying to come to us”.

Sources claim that Union Minister of State for HRD Upendra Kushwaha’s decision to form a human chain in Bihar for improvement of the education system on January 30 has fuelled speculations regarding the split within the NDA here.