Photo Credit: The Suncity News
Patna, March 23, 2024: Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) national president Upendra Kushwaha on Saturday expressed strong displeasure at JD-U leaders after his party’s state president Ramesh Kushwaha defected to JD-U along with his wife Vijayalaxmi.
Taking to the social media platform X, Upendra Kushwaha wrote:
“I want to request JD-U leaders to please inform me if you want some more candidates.”
In a sharp yet poetic response, the RLM chief also shared a verse from legendary poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan’s “Jo Beet Gayi So Baat Gayi,” urging his supporters not to remain angry and instead move forward.
Background of defection:
Ramesh Kushwaha, a farmer JD-U MLA from Ziradei (2015-2020), had joined RLM in 2020. Earlier this week, he resigned from the party and formally joined JD-U in Patna, where state president Umesh Kushwaha welcomed him and Vijayalaxmi in the presence of Parliamentary Affairs Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Jha, Cabinet Minister Ashok Choudhary, and others.
Sources indicate JD-U may field Vijayalaxmi from Siwan in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, a seat currently represented by Kavita Singh, wife of Bahubali leader Ajay Singh, who is considered close to the BJP.
Political reactions:
Calling Ramesh Kushwaha’s return a “Ghar Wapsi,” JD-U leaders stressed that his induction would strengthen the NDA in Bihar.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary reiterated, “We aim to win all 40 seats in Bihar and form the government under PM Narendra Modi’s leadership. We have no intention of weakening our alliance partner RLM.”
Significance:
While JD-U has framed the move as part of its broader NDA strategy, Upendra Kushwaha’s sharp words signal growing unease within the alliance, especially over candidate selection in constituencies like Siwan, where caste equations and ticket distribution will be crucial.
Also Read: Upendra Kushwaha met with CM Nitish Kumar ahead of LS poll 2024.
EOM.