Patna: A major rift has emerged within Bihar’s ruling NDA following the alleged induction of two newly elected independent MLCs, Banshidhar Brajwasi and Rahul Raj, into BJP. The move has severely displeased its alliance partner, JD(U), whose official candidates were defeated by these very independents in the recent Bihar legislative council elections.In the polls, independent candidate Rahul Raj defeated JD(U)’s Anand Pushkar in the Saran teachers’ constituency, while Banshidhar Brajwasi defeated JD(U) spokesperson Abhishek Jha in the Tirhut graduates’ constituency. Both JD(U) candidates were contesting as the unified face of NDA.Expressing strong reservations, JD(U) state president Umesh Singh Kushwaha questioned the ethics of the decision. He pointed out that Rahul Raj had been expelled from BJP for six years due to anti-party activities just days before the election. “Under what circumstances was Rahul Raj brought back so soon after being expelled? The BJP and its top leadership should reflect on this,” Kushwaha remarked.Senior JD(U) MLA Shyam Rajak added that while supporting independents is lawful, officially inducting them after the election is “unethical and wrong” under anti-defection norms. Defeated candidate Anand Pushkar openly complained in a social media post, asking whether JD(U) was the only party expected to follow “coalition dharma” with NDA.Facing fierce criticism from JD(U) and opposition RJD regarding potential violations of the Tenth Schedule (anti-defection law), the BJP state president Sanjay Saraogi clarified that the MLCs did not join the party but merely extended outside legislative support to BJP and NDA govt.“If anyone visits BJP office, it is our culture to welcome them by putting the party’s traditional saffron scarf around their neck. But let me clarify, they have not joined the party; they have merely extended their support to us. I repeat, it is just support, not a formal joining,” he said.
