Patna: The political turmoil has intensified after the results of the Legislative Council elections in Bihar. Opposition parties have attacked the ruling party after Banshidhar Brijwasi, who won from the Tirhut graduate seat, and Rahul Raj, who won from Saran teacher seat, joined BJP. Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Jan Suraj have demanded cancellation of the membership of both the leaders and threatened to fight a legal battle. The opposition alleges that the BJP has insulted the mandate and violated the anti-defection law by including independent candidates in the party.
How did both independent MLCs join BJP?
Bihar BJP chief Sanjay Saraogi had informed about both the leaders joining the party through a social media post. After this, Banshidhar Brijwasi and Rahul Raj also got themselves photographed with the party membership slips at the BJP office on Saturday evening. Both the leaders had also reached the meeting of BJP MLAs.
Banshidhar Brijwasi had won the Tirhut graduate seat for the second consecutive time. Whereas Rahul Raj had won the election as an independent candidate from Saran teachers constituency. He was earlier associated with BJP, but after JDU got the seat, he contested the elections as an independent.
Why are questions being raised on the membership of both MLCs?
Opposition parties have demanded cancellation of membership of both the leaders citing the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution. There are provisions related to defection in this schedule. Under this, if a member who wins an independent election joins any political party after the election, his membership can be disqualified.
What allegations did Tejashwi Yadav make against BJP?
RJD leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav has accused BJP of making fun of the Constitution. He said both independent MLCs should be disqualified under the anti-defection law. RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha said that the party’s delegation will meet the Chairman of the Legislative Council. Apart from this, the door of Election Commission will also be knocked.
Did Jan Suraj and Congress also open a front?
Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraj Party has also cornered BJP in this matter. Party’s national spokesperson Kumar Saurabh said that the photographs of the membership slips of the two leaders have been preserved and they will be presented before the Legislative Council Chairman and the Election Commission. He said that the party will also go to the Supreme Court if necessary.
On the other hand, Congress has accused BJP of backstabbing its ally JDU. The party says that JDU faces defeat on both the seats.
