All seems not going well in the ruling JD(U). Nitish Kumar-led party is facing some dissenting voices from within and that too by party stalwarts.
Former Assembly Speaker and party’s vice-president Udai Narain Choudhary and former Minister and party’s national secretary, spokesman as well as deputy leader in the Assembly Shyam Rajak have raised some voices over the “worsening” condition of Dalits and said society was suffering because of the indifferent attitude of the people occupying power.
Amid the indications that both of them are likely to leave and join Sharad Yadav faction of the party, Rajak changed his stand on Wednesday and profusely thanked Nitish for reservation to Dalits and OBCs in the outsourced jobs. “I thank Nitish and his Government for this provision and urge the Centre and other States to emulate this scheme,” he said in a statement.
The party took strong exception to the statements of its two prominent leaders. Incidentally, both Choudhary and Rajak are well recognised dalit faces of the JD(U) but both of them are currently out of favour. Choudhary lost Assembly election in 2015 and was defeated by former CM Jitan Ram Manjhi from Imamganj which was only seat Manjhi’s party Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) won. Rajak though won election he was not retained in the cabinet following stiff opposition from lalu Prasad whose party RJD was then partner with Nitish.
Taking strong notice of the utterances of the two leaders, Bihar JD(U) president Bashistha Narain Singh said, “We have taken this issue very seriously and if the matter goes against the interests of the party, action will be taken.” Singh said both Choudhary and Rajak were eyeing some posts and when they failed to get it they are venting their ire.
Nitish made Choudhrry Assembly Speaker when he came to power in 2005 and retained him in 2010 till 2015. Rajak was also rewarded with Ministerial berth when he left lalu’s party and joined JD(U) in 2008. Despite opposition from lalu, the CM appointed Rajak deputy leader of the party in the Assembly when he could not make him a Minister.
lalu extended his support to the two sulking JD(U) leaders and said the issue of reservation raised by them was very vital. “Nitish had always been anti-reservation and so he is silent when attempts are being made to finish reservation facilities,” he alleged. Choudhary had been State president of RJD in mid 90s and Rajak was a Minister in lalu and Rabri governments.
Choudhary retaliated to the warning of the JD(U) by saying that he would continue raising the issue of the reservation for SC, ST and OBCs. He said he would speak on this issue with Sharad Yadav. “I am in touch with him. After all he had been national president of our party and we have worked together for long,” he said while giving broad hint that he has become a rebel and likely to side with Sharad faction of the party.
But former CM Manjhi was critical of both the leaders. He recalled that when he was being removed from the post of the CM they did not utter a single word in his favour. “I would have been happy had they spoken a single word in my favour at that time. Now when they see they have no scope in the party they are showing their dalit love. They are shedding crocodile tears,” Manjhi stated.
A couple of days back under the banner of Vanchit Varg Morcha Choudhary and Rajak accused people occupying power responsible for the worsening condition of the dalits. “The reservation in the promotion has been finished due to weak will power of the rulers. There is no internal democracy in the regional parties and no one dares to raise voice fearing to lose post and ticket,” the duo said.