Jolt to Nitish as 3 of the 4 JD(U) nominations in Bengal get thrown out

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday suffered a major jolt in the neighbouring West Bengal when nomination papers of three out of four Janata Dal (United) nominees were rejected for the first phase of the election slated for March 27.

With an aim to expand its base, the JD (U) has decided to throw its hat in the West Bengal ring. However, it suffered a jolt when three out of four nominees (in West Midnapore and Bankura districts of West Bengal) found their nomination papers rejected on one ground or the other.

Nitish’s bid to expand his party base in the neighbouring state is based on the premise that the party would field its nominees in a constituency where there is a large section of Bihar-origin people.

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The JD (U), which is in alliance with the BJP in Bihar and has been ruling the state since 2005, has often reiterated that its tie-up with the saffron camp was limited to Bihar only, and it was free to contest polls in other states.

Voting for the first phase of polls in West Bengal will take place in Purulia, West Midnapore, East Midnapore, Bankura and Jhargram districts.

However, with the rejection of nomination papers of three nominees, the JD(U) now has just one candidate for the first phase of the elections.

The Opposition RJD is supporting Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress.