Nitish Kumar suffers setback as party MLA joins RJD

Patna: The political temperature in Bihar shot up after JD (U) MLA Sarfaraz Alam resigned and joined hands with the RJD on Saturday.

The development is being seen as a major setback for chief minister Nitish Kumar who is trying to expand party’s political base in Bihar, especially among minorities and mahadalits.

Speculation is rife that Mr Alam may contest the Araria by-elections, which fell vacant in September 2017 after the demise of his father and veteran RJD leader Mohammad Taslimuddin.

Political analysts say that his resignation may impact the minority vote base in the Seemanchal region where Muslims have a maximum representation. Mohammad Taslimuddin had won the Araria seat in 2014 by a margin of two lakh votes.  

Talking to reporters after his resignation, Mr Alam said that he had been under pressure to leave the JD (U) after the collapse of the Grand Secular Alliance. He said that his voters and family members wanted him to join a secular party.

“I contested elections from JD (U) ticket in 2015 because it was part of the Grand Secular Alliance, but after Nitish Kumar joined hands with the BJP people felt betrayed,” Mr Alam said.

The Bihar by-election will be the first electoral test for Mr Kumar after he snapped ties with the RJD and formed a government with BJP in July last year. The election is also being seen as a test for Tejashwi Yadav who is heading the party in the absence of his father Lalu Yadav.

RJD leader Shivanand Tiwary said, “There are several others who may leave the NDA soon as they are not feeling comfortable.”