NEW DELHI: Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Manoj Jha on Sunday hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after two Independent Members of the Legislative Council (MLCs), Rahul Kumar and Banshidhar Brajwasi, joined the party a day after winning the Bihar Legislative Council elections.Reacting to their move, Rajya Sabha MP Jha said voters from different castes and communities had sent a clear message through the election results. He claimed that despite its efforts, the BJP had managed to win only two seats.He also accused the BJP of being in a hurry to weaken its National Democratic Alliance (NDA) ally, the Janata Dal (United).Jha said the RJD would approach the chairman of the Bihar Legislative Council and the Election Commission, seeking the disqualification of the two MLCs. He claimed that rules provide for an Independent member’s disqualification if they join a political party.Results for all eight Bihar Legislative Council seats were declared on October 29. The polls were held for four teachers’ and four graduates’ constituencies. The RJD and BJP won two seats each, while the Janata Dal (United), Jan Suraaj Party and Independent candidates secured the remaining four.
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The RJD’s Sanjeev Kumar won the Patna Teachers’ constituency, defeating five-term BJP MLC Nawal Kishore Yadav. Another RJD candidate, Anil Jha, won the Darbhanga Graduates’ constituency.Jha also questioned the timing of the two Independent MLCs joining the BJP, pointing out that the move came a day before the INDIA bloc’s mega rally in New Delhi.The opposition INDIA bloc is holding a ‘Chalo Delhi Ramlila March’ at Ramlila Maidan, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls.The march is scheduled to begin at 11 am, with INDIA bloc MPs gathering at the Constitution Club. They will then proceed from the Minto Road-Connaught Place junction towards Ramlila Maidan at noon.
