Nitish suspends 21 Sharad loyalists from JD(U) over 'anti-party activities'

New Delhi/Patna: Belligerent senior JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav is unlikely to float a new party as of now and may instead set up a platform called “Sanhja Virasat Bachao Manch” (Save the Composite Culture Forum). Sources said the forum’s formation is likely to be announced at the August 17 conference of Opposition parties and civil society called by Mr Yadav. Bihar CM and JD(U) president Nitish Kumar, meanwhile, on Monday suspended 21 JD(U) leaders for opposing his decision to tie up with the BJP in Bihar.

Mr Yadav, who has raised the banner of revolt against Mr Kumar’s decision of leaving the Grand Secular Alliance in the state, that included the RJD and Congress besides the JD(U), told this newspaper that he had got an overwhelming response during his three-day Bihar tour and that he was determined to “bring together all forces who are important in saving the composite heritage and culture of the country”.

Sources said the decision to float a platform and not a political outfit now was taken after discussions between Mr Yadav and several senior political leaders like the Congress’ Ghulam Nabi Azad and CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury.

A concerted decision was also taken to avoid the word “secular” while naming the platform to “avoid any attempt by the BJP to polarise voters in the name of religion”. Also, it was decided to avoid any names of sociliast leaders like Ram Manohar Lohia so that no Opposition party has problems in joining the forum.

Sources said Mr Yadav would be coordinating among all major Opposition leaders and the forum would also be a platform for farmers, tribal and dalit rights bodies. The representatives of many such outfits are expected to be at the August 17 convention to be held at the Constitution Club in New Delhi.

Among the leaders expected to attend the August 17  convention are Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad and Mallikarjun Kharge, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, dalit rights leader and B.R. Ambedkar’s grandson Prakash Ambedkar and Maharashtra farmers’ leader Raju Shetti.

In Bihar, meanwhile, JD(U) state chief Basisth Narayan Singh ordered the suspension of 21 partymen, including former MLA Ramai Ram, former MP Arjun Rai and several others “for indulging in anti-party activities”. Some senior leaders in Bihar said “the move is also an indication that no one, including Sharad Yadav, will be spared for going against the party line”. All 21 members are considered loyalists of Sharad Yadav.

However, in New Delhi, JD(U) general secretary K.C. Tyagi said the party was in no mood to take any action against Mr Yadav, who was its tallest leader, but added Mr Yadav had “decided to leave the party of his own free will”. However, Mr Yadav has not resigned from any of his party posts.

Mr Tyagi said out of the support of 14 state units being claimed by Mr Yadav, only five were recognised by the Election Commission. “If the Grand Alliance were to fight an election now without Nitish Kumar, it will get only 15 seats in Bihar,” he claimed.

Mr Kumar has already removed Sharad Yadav as JD(U) leader in the Rajya Sabha and Ali Anwar Ansari as a member of the party in the Upper House. He has also suspended Ali Anwar from the parliamentary party after he attended a meeting of Opposition parties convened by Congress president Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi.

JD(U) insiders told this newspaper the party president is expected to expel Mr. Yadav at the national executive meeting due to be held later this week on August 19.

Mr Yadav had opposed Nitish Kumar’s move to pull out of the Mahagathbandhan, calling it a “betrayal of the mandate”. The JD(U), which was reduced to two MPs in the 2014 general election, had formed an alliance with the RJD and the Congress for the 2015 Assembly polls in Bihar. The formation of the Mahagathbandhan helped Nitish Kumar to return as Bihar chief minister for a third consecutive term.