Janata Dal(U) hopeful of bigger national footprint | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Janata Dal(U) hopeful of bigger national footprint

Hindustan Times, Patna | By
May 30, 2019 02:08 PM IST

Janata Dal (United), with 16 seats, is the third largest partner in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). It was not part of the previous government but is expected to be part of Modi-led NDA government at the Centre this time.

Members of the Janata Dal (United) national executive and newly elected MPs from Bihar met in New Delhi on Wednesday and discussed issues, including party’s performance in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi being greeted by Chief Minister of Bihar Nitish Kumar during the NDA parliamentary board meeting, at Central Hall of Parliament House, in New Delhi, Saturday, May 25, 2019.(PTI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi being greeted by Chief Minister of Bihar Nitish Kumar during the NDA parliamentary board meeting, at Central Hall of Parliament House, in New Delhi, Saturday, May 25, 2019.(PTI)

JD(U) is expected to be part of the national government after a gap of nearly 10 years. The party is likely to get two berths in the union cabinet. Janata Dal (United), with 16 seats, is the third largest partner in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). It was not part of the previous government.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, the party’s chief general secretary KC Tyagi said, “It is final that JD(U) is going to be a part of the Union cabinet. The names of MPs for Union cabinet berths from JD(U) will be decided by the party’s national president Nitish Kumar, while the portfolio will be decided by the Prime Minister.”

Tyagi said that Nitish was in constant touch with senior BJP leaders, including BJP national president Amit Shah, about the ministerial berths. Kumar met BJP national president Amit Shah on Wednesday.

“[Wednesday’s] meeting also decided to hold [the party’s] national executive in Patna on June 9 which will decide on organisational elections,” he added.

The party’s ambition to expand its national footprint got a boost in Arunachal Pradesh, even though it has performed badly in Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Karnataka, and Gujarat. In Nagaland, the party won one seat. In Assam, the party contested in four seats in collaboration with AIUDF, but could not win a single seat. In Kerala, where JD (U) contested seven seats under the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) by selling the prohibition success story of Bihar, it lost all seats, including those of two sitting MLAS.

Party leaders said that buoyed by success in the Arunachal Pradesh assembly elections, where the party won eight 8 out of 60 seats, JD(U) was mulling the possibility of contesting assembly polls in Jammu & Kashmir and Jharkhand. “The assembly polls in J&K and Jharkhand are due this year. The party will contest elections in these two states and other states where elections are due in near future,” said a leader.

The Nitish-led party has managed to increase its vote share in Bihar to 21.18%, up from 15.80% in 2014, but has to settle for one seat less than the BJP at 16, even as both parties contested 17 LS seats each in the state.

According to the criteria set by the Election Commission, a national party needs to get at least 6% of the votes from a minimum of four states, or 2% of the total seats in the Lok Sabha from at least three states, or it should be recognised as a state party in at least four states.

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Arvind Kejriwal News Live, Bihar Board 10th Result 2024 Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    author-default-90x90

    Vijay is chief of bureau, Patna. He has spent 21 years in journalism and covers political beats and public affairs.

SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On