RJD media in-charge quits, joins Nitish Kumar’s camp

After joining JD(U), Pragati Mehta told reporters that he was particularly impressed by Nitish Kumar’s “zero tolerance” to corruption.

In a blow to Lalu Prasad’s Rashtriya Janata Dal, its media in-charge Pragati Mehta quit the party on Wednesday to join Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United), a move he claims would bring him ‘honour’.

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar at an event organised on the occasion of 'Bihar Earth Day' at Gyan Bhawan. (PTI File Photo)

Mehta accepted the membership of the JD(U) in presence of its state president Basistha Narayan Singh at the party headquarters in Patna.

He became the first familiar face of RJD to leave the party after the disintegration of the JD(U)-RJD-Congress ‘Grand Alliance’ in Bihar.

Mehta was often seen defending the party on electronic media.

After joining JD(U), Mehta told reporters that he was particularly impressed by Kumar’s “zero tolerance” to corruption.

“Now, I feel I am at the right place where I will get honour,” he said.

Welcoming him, Singh said Mehta would provide strength to the party.

Reacting to the development, RJD president Lalu Prasad called Mehta a “Barsati Medak’ (frog of the rainy season).

“I do not know what extra respect he will get there which he was not getting here,” he added.