21 Sharad loyalists shown the door

The Janata Dal (United) on Monday suspended 21 party leaders, considered close to Rajya Sabha member Sharad Yadav, for their anti-party activities. Those who have been shown the door include three former JD (U) legislators and a former MP Arjun Rai. Rest others are district-level party workers. Former MLA Ramai Ram and Arjun Rai were the two prominent faces who toured with Sharad Yadav when the latter was on a three-day Bihar visit last week.

“The suspension order has been issued by Bihar JD (U) president Bashishtha Narayan Singh after taking into consideration their anti-party activities,” said JD (U) spokesperson Neeraj Kumar.

Sharad, who had opposed Nitish’s decision to join hands with the BJP and form another government with the help of NDA, has claimed that the ‘real’ JD (U) was with him as 14 State units of the party were still with him.

Last week, Sharad was removed as leader of the JD (U) Parliamentary Party in the Rajya Sabha for his utterances against Nitish. “If he continues to deride Nitish, who is national president of the party, then Sharad too may meet the same fate as his supporters have met today,” said a ruling camp source.

The JD (U) has convened its national executive committee meet here in the State Capital on August 19 where it may pass a resolution to formally join the NDA. It may later join the Narendra Modi Ministry too, after Nitish is possibly elevated as NDA convenor.