Nitish Kumar-led JD(U) joins NDA; supporters of Sharad Yadav, RJD protest outside Bihar CM's residence

Nitish Kumar-led Janata Dal United (JDU) has made a comeback to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). A resolution to this effect was adopted by the party's national council which met today at the chief minister's residence in Patna.

The decision was taken even as the rebel JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav held a parallel function to show his strength in the state capital. Sharad camp has been opposing Nitish Kumar's decision to form an alliance government with the BJP.

With the JD-U now having returned to the NDA fold, its MPs will soon be inducted into the Union Council of Ministers. Moreover, the Bihar Chief Minister may even be given a key role in the NDA. He is tipped to become the co-convener of the BJP-led alliance. JDU has 2 MPs in the Lok Sabha and 7 out of its 9 Rajya Sabha MPs are with Nitish Kumar.

POSTER WAR BETWEEN RIVAL JD-U FACTIONS TAKES UGLY TURN

Meanwhile, a poster war in Patna city between the two JD(U) factions took an ugly turn when about a dozen bikers broke security cordons and managed to reach Rajendra Chowk just outside the chief minister's residence where a meeting of the JD-U national executive committee was underway.

Patna: Supporters of Sharad Yadav & RJD protest outside CM Nitish Kumar's residence, where JDU National Executive Meet is taking place. pic.twitter.com/PE8TzNkQGp- ANI (@ANI) August 19, 2017

The workers backing Sharad Yadav were raising JD-U flags and shouting slogans against Nitish. The bikers clashed with JD-U workers, who alleged that these were, in fact, RJD workers disguised as Sharad Yadav's supporters.

#Bihar: Security outside CM Nitish Kumar's residence in Patna increased after demonstration by Sharad Yadav & RJD supporters. pic.twitter.com/VRDXhMv7En- ANI (@ANI) August 19, 2017

Talking to the media, Patna city Superintendent of Police Manu Maharaj said that an inquiry had been launched into breach of security and CCTV footages were being examined to ascertain the identity of the bikers and where they came from.

Meanwhile, Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad Yadav has hit out at Bihar BJP leader Sushil Modi, calling him a cheat and a 'lootera'.

Sushil Modi bhari lootera hai anap shanap baaten karta hai, half-pant pehenta tha tab se janta hun: Lalu Prasad yadav, RJD pic.twitter.com/kMUOIX6Krw- ANI (@ANI) August 19, 2017

CONDOLENCE MOTION ON GORAKHPUR DEATHS PASSED IN SHARAD YADAY's MEETMeanwhile, a condolence motion was passed in the meeting of the Sharad Yadav camp to condole deaths of the children killed in Gorakhpur and in the floods in Bihar.

While the meeting of the Sharad Yadav camp had started, JD-U MP Ali Anwar reminded that a motion to condole death of flood victims should ne passed first and then this was done.

"Our target and agenda is not any person (Nitish and PM Modi), but the country is seeing farmers, who predominantly feed the population, commit suicide."

"I appeal to the Muslims. There is fear among Muslims today. Dalits are insecure. There is massive turmoil in the country's universities today. Nitish is looking like a dwarf today who once attained a high stature when he became the chief minister of the Mahagathbandhan in 2015."

Sharad Yadav said, "There is unemployment in the country today. Youths are having no work. PM promised in 2014 that 2 crore people would get jobs but till date nothing has happened. In democracy, what one says and promises is important. Farmers are committing suicide in thousands. In the name of love jihad, people are being killed today."

"Since the split of the Mahagathbandhan, I have been touring the entire country, which is in a difficult situation today. The flood situation in Bihar is also very bad. In the last 70 years, the situation in the country has not changed."

In Una, Dalits were beaten for skinning cows. This is the state of affairs in the country".

(WITH INPUTS FROM ROHIT KUMAR SINGH)

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WATCH VIDEO | Nitish Kumar, Sharad Yadav ready for show of strength at parallel meetings in Patna