Bashistha re-elected as Bihar JD (U) chief

Incumbent Bihar JD (U) president Bashistha Narayan Singh was re-elected to the post for a second successive term at the state council meeting of the party in Patna today.

Incumbent Bihar JD (U) president Bashistha Narayan Singh was re-elected to the post for a second successive term at the state council meeting of the party in Patna on Monday.

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Returning officer for JD (U) organisational election in Bihar Gyanendra Singh Gyanu formally declared election of Singh to the post. Singh's election was a foregone conclusion, as no other candidate has filed nomination paper for the post.

Speaking on the occasion, chief minister Nitish Kumar said the state party president had his task cut out in completing the organizational elections by covering the districts on which party poll was pending.

"Another task for him is to strengthen the students' and youth wings of the party", Kumar said, while wishing Singh success in his endeavours.

On his part, Singh said on top of his agenda the proposed JD (U) rally in New Delhi to exert pressure on the Centre to grant special category state status to Bihar.

"Bihar remains a backward state due to the indifferent and step motherly treatment by the Centre. We will not tolerate such discrimination anymore," he said.

Singh said that the party has given 60% reservation for extremely backward classes, women, mahadalits and Muslims in organisational posts.

"We have launched special ambitious programme for plantation in next five years. Altogether 24 crores plants will be planted during the period," he said.

Water resources minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, energy minister Bijendra Yadav, food and civil supplies minister Shyam Rajak, JD(U) MPs Ranjan Prasad Yadav and Ram Sundra Das, were among those present on the occasion.