Former JDU MLA Stokes Controversy, Hints at ‘Break Up’ Between Nitish’s Party and BJP

Stoking fresh controversy, former JD(U) MLA Shyam Bahadur Singh has hinted at break up between Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) and the Bharatiya Janata Party. He made the statement at the party’s district workers’ conference in Siwan where JD(U) state president Umesh Singh Kushwaha and senior leader Vidyanand Vikal were present.

“Bihar mein kab tak gathbandhan hai aur kab tootega yeh koi nahi jaanta (No one knows how long will the alliance in Bihar survive),” he said on Tuesday, adding that he “does not trust the BJP”. He urged party workers to make CM Kumar strong enough that his outfit can stay in power without help from allies.

Singh is known for bizarre statements and acts. Ahead of Bihar assembly elections, he was spotted moving around barefoot and said that he follows this regime during polls. The JD(U) leader also said that even at 60, he isn’t afraid of coronavirus as “he is corona himself”.

In 2018, he had resigned from the party’s primary membership, complaining that “police had been acting against all those people opposing auction of the government land to land mafia”. However, he was placated by then JD(U) state president Vashisht Narain Singh who said that Singh is a senior party leader, and his concern would be genuine”.

The former MLA had earlier embarrassed the party and the government by performing with dancers at marriage ceremonies.