JD(U) discusses reasons for poor show in council polls

Patna: The JD(U) leadership on Thursday reviewed the reasons behind the defeat of three of its four candidates in the recent legislative council elections, hearing presentations from the losing nominees and other party functionaries. The party’s working president, Sanjay Kumar Jha, took note of the concerns raised with the final decision on complaints and issues left to him.The defeated candidates were Tirhut Graduates’ seat nominee Abhishek Jha, Saran Teachers’ seat contestant Pushkar Anand and Darbhanga Teachers’ seat candidate Ghanshyam Rai. Only Neeraj Kumar, a three-time MLC from the Patna Graduates’ seat, retained his seat despite a campaign against him by the party’s Mokama MLA Anant Singh, who has since been expelled.Abhishek and Anand lost to Independent candidates Bansidhar Brajvasi and Rahul Raj. Both subsequently announced their support for the BJP. Their move fuelled speculation about the BJP’s role in the defeats.“We presented the facts and figures on the reasons behind our defeats, and we received patient hearing at the review meeting. Others, too, made their own presentations. Our working president took note of the concerns expressed,” Abhishek told reporters. He said the party’s working president would take the final decision on the complaints and issues raised.Asked whether the two Independent MLCs support for the BJP was discussed, Abhishek said the issue did not figure at the meeting. “The NDA is intact and united,” he said.Before the meeting, JD(U) state president Umesh Singh Kushwaha said the Bihar NDA was two decades old and the JD(U)-BJP partnership remained strong.The meeting was attended by Jha, Kushwaha, chief whip in the assembly Manjit Kumar Singh, the party’s winning and losing candidates, MLAs, MLCs, district presidents and constituency incharges.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Patna | Silver Rate in Patna | Bank Holidays in Patna | Public Holidays in Patna | Patna AQI | Weather in Patna | Petrol Price in Patna | Diesel Price in Patna | CNG Price in Patna | LPG Price in PatnaStay updated with the latest Patna news. Download the TOI App.