Patna, June 15: In view of a spate of desertions of leaders from RJD and other Opposition parties, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday said he would welcome them “with open arms” if they wished to switch over to ruling JD(U).
Setback to Lalu, close confidante Nihora resigns”Choice of joining the JD(U) is open to all, including those who recently left RJD and other Opposition parties,” Kumar said when his attention was drawn to his arch rival and RJD boss Lalu Prasad’s trusted aides Shyam Razak and Ram Nihora Yadav parting ways with the former railway minister.
“We will receive all those who resigned from RJD or are willing to follow suit even from other Opposition parties with open arms,” the Chief Minister said.
“We will try to ensure full respect and protect their prestige in our party,” Kumar said.
He added that ex-MLC Bhim Singh and legislator Sanjay Singh, who quit RJD and Lok Janshakti Party of Ramvilas Paswan respectively and joined the JD(U) a fortnight ago, were “happily discharging the work assigned to them.”
On whether Shyam Razak, Ram Nihora Yadav or any other Opposition leaders have contacted him expressing willingness to join JD(U), Kumar said, “We will let you know this at an appropriate time.”
Meanwhile, dealing yet another blow to the RJD chief, Yadav’s close confidante and senior party leader Ram Nihori Yadav resigned from the party.
Claiming that the RJD had been reduced to “a party of sycophants,” Ram Nihori Yadav said he was feeling “suffocated” in the party under Lalu Yadav’s leadership.
On whether he would switch over to the ruling JD(U), Yadav said he is yet to take a decision.
Prasad’s blue-eyed boy and RJD National General Secretary Shyam Razak had yesterday resigned from the party and the Bihar assembly citing similar reasons.
Razak and Nihora Yadav, however, are likely to join the ruling JD(U) soon, sources said.