JD-U suspends 21 rebels in Bihar

Patna: Bihar's ruling Janata Dal-United (JD-U) on Monday suspended 21 members, including former minister Ramai Ram, for six years on charges of anti-party activities after they backed rebel leader Sharad Yadav, who has opposed Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's decision to tie up with the BJP.

Among the leaders suspended are Arjun Rai, a former MP from Sitamarhi, former MLA Raj Kishore Sinha and former MLC Vijay Verma. Two district presidents and five block level presidents are also in the list.

Bihar JD-U President Vashistha Narayan Singh issued a statement naming the 21 who were stripped off their primary membership.

The JD-U on Saturday removed Sharad Yadav, who opposed the party's decision to ally with the BJP in Bihar, as its leader in the Rajya Sabha and replaced him with R.C.P. Singh, a trusted lieutenant of Nitish Kumar.

On Friday, the JD-U suspended its Rajya Sabha member Ali Anwar Ansari from the parliamentary party after he attended a meeting of opposition parties convened by Congress chief Sonia Gandhi.

According to JD-U leaders, the Monday suspensions come as the members had accompanied Sharad Yadav during his three- day visit to Saran, Muzaffarpur, Madhubani and Darbhanga districts to meet party supporters and understand their mood over Nitish Kumar's decision.