Four rebel JD(U) MLAs join BJP; vow to defeat Nitish Kumar

The BJP in Bihar today received a shot in the arm, in view of the upcoming Assembly elections, as four rebel JD(U) MLAs, who along with other legislators had led the charge against Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, joined the party along with their supporters here.

The MLAs who joined the saffron party include Gyanendra Singh Gyanu (Barh), Rajeshwar Raj (Karakat), Suresh Chanchal (Sakra) and Dinesh Kushwaha (Minapur), who is also a former state minister.

Welcoming them to the party fold in the presence of Union Minister of state for Skill Development Rajiv Pratap Rudy, state BJP president Mangal Pandey said, "The wheels of change will run faster in Bihar from today. Nitish Kumar has lost four wickets today, will get clean bold in the coming state polls."

Pandey said Kumar had tortured and victimised the MLAs who wanted to see Bihar progress so they are now joining the saffron party. He added that Kumar is lost in his ego and is indulging in politics of power instead of politics of development, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi was doing.

Among the MLAs who joined BJP today, Gyanu had led around 20 JD(U) legislators in questioning the policies and leadership of Kumar last year.

The rebels had forced a showdown by supporting two independent candidates instead of their party, during the Rajya Sabha polls held in June 2014.

Eight of them were later disqualified by Legislative Assembly Speaker Uday Narayan Chaudhary for 'anti-party activities', and JD(U) later expelled them from the party. They were later granted reprieve by the Supreme Court and Patna High Court.

Speaking on the occasion, Rudy said the MLAs who joined the party today have realised that Kumar is an egoistic, selfish and undemocratic person who thinks himself to be a repository of wisdom.

"We welcome Gyanu, Raj, Chanchal and Kushwaha to BJP. They have realised that Kumar cannot work for the welfare of Bihar or nation. He has violated the mandate of public against 'jungleraj' (rule of jungle) and shook hands with RJD chief Lalu Prasad in his greed for power," Rudy said