MLC polls: RLM suspends rebel candidate for 6 years

Sinha’s candidature had led stirred speculations of “tussle” within the NDA in the run up to the legislative council elections

Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM), a smaller partner of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Bihar, has suspended its general secretary Ram Pukar Sinha, who is contesting the Bihar Legislative Council election from the Saran Teacher seat, where JD(U)’s Anand Pushkar is the joint NDA candidate.

Ram Pukar Sinha (left) with RLM chief Upendra Kushwaha (HT Photo)

Sinha’s candidacy stirred speculation of a “tussle” within the NDA leading up to the legislative council elections.

However, there is no word on three of the four RLM MLAs -- Alok Singh, Rameshwar Mahto and Madhav Anand -- who backed Sinha and also joined him during his nomination along with other local party leaders.

“RLM state general secretary Ram Pukar Sinha is suspended from the party for six years. He is contesting as an independent candidate from Saran,” said the notification issued by party’s state chief Prashant Pankaj on Monday.

The party also underlined that his candidature against the official NDA candidate “comes under the ambit of indiscipline, which the party has taken seriously as it has tarnished its image”.

However, the three RLM MLAs are said to be still firmly behind Sinha and that could lead to more fissures within the party in the run up to elections. Party chief Upendra Kushwaha has refrained from going to Saran.

Mahto said that the action on Sinha was wrong. “The way one is concerned about son, the same feeling should be there for the party workers, who have toiled for years. All the three RLM MLAs will sit together to decide future course of action. Instead of suspension, the party high command should have talked to Sinha,” he added.

Besides RLM, another NDA partner, the JD(U), is witnessing the intra-party feud between its MLA from Mokama, Anant Singh, and fourth-time MLC aspirant Neeraj Kumar from the Patna graduates’ seat. The JD(U) has thus far demured from taking any action against Singh who has openly backed Neeraj’s rival Anuj Singh, who is a Jan Suraaj Party nominee.

The JD(U) has however deployed senior leaders to canvass for Neeraj. Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Choudhary, Health minister Nishant Kumar, BJP state chief Sanjay Saraogi, JD(U) state chief Umesh Kushwaha and several others would campaign for Neeraj .

“From Tuesday, mega campaigning will begin, starting from Nawada in the morning and Biharsharief in the afternoon. People who respect Nitish Kumar and love to listen to Nishant Kumar will be there. On Thursday, the leaders will hold rally at Barh and address workers at Patna JD(U) office,” said JD(U) leader Neeraj Kumar.