JD(U) expels Manipur unit president for withdrawing support to BJP govt

The move came shortly after Kshetrimayum Biren Singh stated that the party had pulled its support from the BJP-led Biren Singh government

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar’s party, Janata Dal (United), on Wednesday expelled its Manipur unit president Kshetrimayum Biren Singh after he sent a letter to the Governor stating that JD(U) had withdrawn support from the BJP-led state government.

The party’s national spokesperson, Rajiv Ranjan, stated that Singh’s removal was a result of indiscipline and reaffirmed that JD(U) would continue its support for the BJP-led government in the northeastern state.

Ranjan affirmed that the JD(U) remains committed to supporting the BJP-led NDA, not just in Manipur but across the country.

"Our party has worked diligently to strengthen the NDA and will continue to do so," he stated.

The move came shortly after Kshetrimayum Biren Singh stated that the party had pulled its support from the BJP-led Biren Singh government and communicated its decision to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla.

The state unit chief had also claimed that the lone JDU MLA in the state, Md Abdul Nasir, will sit in the opposition benches.

In a letter to governor Bhalla, JD(U) state president Ksh Biren Singh said, "In the election to state assembly of Manipur held in February/ March 2022, six candidates set up by JD(U) were returned. After a few months, five MLAs of JD(U) defected to BJP. Trial under Tenth Schedule of Constitution of India of the five MLAs is pending before the Speaker's Tribunal."

"After JD(U) became part of INDIA bloc, support to the BJP led government was withdrawn by JD(U)... as such, seating arrangement of the lone MLA of JD(U) in Manipur, Md Abdul Nasir is made in the opposition bench in the last session of the Assembly by the Speaker," it added.

The Manipur BJP has 37 seats in the 60-member assembly and is also supported by five MLAs of Naga People's Front and three independents.

The JD(U), which garnered 12 seats in last year’s general election, is a vital ally in the BJP-led coalition, helping the party regain a majority after a drop in its seat share.

The JD(U) and BJP also maintain an alliance in Bihar, where the assembly elections are due this year. Nitish Kumar, famous for his shifting political affiliations, rejoined the NDA last year after playing a significant role in the Opposition bloc INDIA.