Law Kumar Mishra
Patna, August 16
Flurry of political activities unfolded in the election-bound Bihar Sunday as Governor Fagu Chauhan tonight dismissed Bihar industries minister Shyam Rajak on the recommendation of chief minister Nitish Kumar.
While Rajak is all set to join the Lalu Yadav’s RJD, the ruling JDU of Nitish Kumar is likely to get three MLAs. For, they had revolted against RJD and were scheduled to cross into JDU camp.
Rajak had been energy minister in Bihar earlier and was considered close to Lalu Prasad Yadav. He reportedly went to Ranchi to meet Lalu Prasad and after getting his approval will rejoin RJD tomorrow. He will quit the membership of state assembly and Bihar cabinet too.
Earlier in the evening, Rajak who was also JDU general secretary was removed from the primary membership of the party for six years on charges of anti party activities.
As the Bihar assembly elections are nearing, changes in party loyalties have started in both ruling as well opposition camps.
RJD expelled three of its MLAs on charges of anti-party activities. They will join JDU tomorrow.
Ashok Mehta, secretary general of RJD today announced expulsion of Ms Prema Chaudhury, MLA from Patepur, Maheshwar Prasad Yadav, MLA from Gai Ghat and Faraz Fatmi, MLA from Keoti. They have been expelled for six years on the orders of the RJD president, Lalu Prasad.
Mehta said they had violated party instructions in the past too. Chaudhury had joined the human chain organised by Nitish Kumar, Fatmi had attended the lunch party given by state JDU president Bashistha Narain Singh and Yadav had been publicly praising the chief minister and criticising the leader of the opposition, Tejashwi Prasad Yadav.
The three MLAs represent the core supporter caste and community group of Lalu Prasad as they belong to extremely backward castes,Yadav and Muslim community.
Faraz’s father Ashraf Fatmi was MP from Darbhanga and was minister of state for education at the Centre in UPA governments. He was denied ticket for Lok Sabha elections last year and had joined JDU.
The reverse migration of industries minister Shyam Rajak will take place on Monday. Rajak is apparently not happy with the working in JDU and had opposed his rival Arun Manjhi contesting from his traditional Phulwari constituency.
He had reportedly approached the chief minister but failed to get any response. Half a dozen dalit legislators and former JDU legislators were also likely to join RJD with Rajak.
