Upendra Kushwaha quits JD(U), floats new party

Estranged Janata Dal (United) leader and its Parliamentary Council Chairman Upendra Kushwaha on Monday announced that they have parted ways with the party to form a new party - the Rashtriya Lok Janata Dal.

"We have decided to form a new party - Rashtriya Lok Janata Dal. This was decided unanimously. I have been appointed as its national president. The party will continue the legacy of Karpoori Thakur. We will work to reject the deal made with the RJD," he said at a press conference today.

He said that meetings and discussions were held in Patna for the last two days and the leaders unanimously reached a conclusion. Kushwaha also announced that he would resign from the post of MLC in the Legislative Council. Kushwaha was at loggerheads with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. He convened a two-day open session on 19 Feb 20, which was attended by several JDU workers in Patna. At the meeting, he sought ideas for future political strategy from party workers.

Upendra Kushwaha said, "Today a new political shift begins. Barring a few, everyone in the JD(U) expressed concern. A meeting was held with elected colleagues and a decision was taken. Nitish Kumar was doing well in the beginning. The road that started dating, she is bad for him and for Bihar.'

He further said, "The CM does not act of his own free will, now he acts on the suggestions of people around him. Today he is unable to act alone because he never tried to make a successor. Had Nitish Kumar chosen a successor, he did not have to look to neighbours for him."