All is not well in State unit of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). Visible rifts have appeared in RJD State unit with the party being divided into two groups, one headed by RJD’s newly appointed State president Abhay Singh while other group which opposed Singh’s appointment.
On Sunday, Singh, the newly appointed State president called a party leaders’ meet at party office, but none of senior leaders from dissolved committee were present at the meet. Abhay Singh said, “At the meet party leaders from all districts were invited. The party discussed on the strategy for year-end Assembly elections with the appointment of new committee within a week.”
“Assembly wise in-charge will be appointed for Assembly segments. At the same time divisional wise conferences will be held,” said Singh. The party also decided to celebrate foundation day in big way on July 5 at the same time reposing faith on State and Central leadership.
Sources said that though Singh is claiming that party is united, differences has cropped up between Singh and former RJD president Gautam Sagar Rana. Sources said that Rana and some of party old members are upset with present style of functioning.
Former state party general secretary and party spokesperson, Kailash Yadav said, “We are opposed with appointment of Singh as new party state president. We have given the ultimatum of June 21 to party central leadership to reconsider its decision on appointment of Abhay Singh as new state party boss. If the party fails to take any action RJD’s survival in State will be in stake.”
Yadav further said, “RJD core principle and polices is social justice to poor, backwards, minorities and down trodden. But the present RJD is in the grip of capitalist forces. The party has started moving away from its core principle. It is high time that party should reconsider it polices.”
According to Yadav, only three district presidents from out of 24 district units were present at the meet. Out of five Mahanagar units none of them were present at the meet claimed Yadav.
Sources said that the differences within RJD had cropped up before the Lok Sabha elections when party unit decided to field Subhash Yadav as party candidate from Chatra. Internal bickering within the party intensified after then RJD state president Annapurna Devi quit the party. The RJD which was still to recover from the shock after its State president leave the party, another RJD stalwart from its foundation day, Giriraj Singh too quit the party joining BJP. Former RJD MP from Palamu Manoj Bhuiyan too resigned from party.
Sources said that all these leaders who leave the party along with Rana and some old committee members are upset with growing influence of Subhash Yadav in party fold.
Subhash Yadav who owns business in Bihar in Lok Sabha election contested on party ticket from Chatra. Sources said that it was Chatra seat due to which fissures within Mahagathbandhan intensified. Yadav despite opposition from Grand Alliance constituents contested the election from Chatra but lost to BJP’s Sunil Singh remaining in third position.