JD(U) seeks bypoll due to Sharad Yadav’s disqualification from Rajya Sabha

Rebel JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav had moved Delhi HC against his disqualification by the Rajya Sabha chairman in December last year. But the JD(U) said the court had ordered that Yadav would continue to get his salary and other perks, but not stayed his disqualification.

The Janata Dal (United) on Wednesday urged the Election Commission (EC) to hold a bypoll to a Bihar Rajya Sabha seat, following the disqualification of its rebel leader Sharad Yadav from the Upper House of Parliament. The JD(U) said according to rules, the vacancy must be filled within six months.

Sharad Yadav had opposed Nitish Kumar’s decision to break the JD(U)’s alliance with RJD and Congress and join hands with BJP. He had also attended an RJD rally in Patna.(HT/File Photo)

Yadav had moved the Delhi high court against his disqualification by the Rajya Sabha chairman in December last year.

A JD(U) delegation, which included its leader in the Upper House, Ram Chandra Prasad Singh, and secretary general KC Tyagi, pointed out in a memorandum submitted to the EC that the court had ordered that Yadav would continue to get his salary and other perks, but not stayed his disqualification.

“The commission is under a legal obligation to hold election to the Rajya Sabha seat within six months from the date the vacancy arises,” the memorandum said.

The Nitish Kumar-led party noted that Rajya Sabha chairman M Venkaiah Naidu had disqualified Yadav as well as Ali Anwar Ansari on grounds of their “anti-party” activities, but while the EC had filled the vacancy caused by Ansari’s departure, it was yet to do so in Yadav’s case.

Ansari’s disqualification came barely a few months before his term was to end, while Yadav’s tenure would have lasted till 2022. Both JD(U) MPs had opposed Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar’s decision to break the party’s alliance with RJD and Congress and join hands with BJP.

They had also attended an RJD rally in Patna, following which the JD(U) sought their disqualification from the Rajya Sabha.