Another JD-U legislator deserts party in Bihar

Another JD-U legislator in Bihar left his party on Thursday and joined the RLSP, an ally of the BJP.

A day after four rebel Janata Dal-United (JD-U) legislators joined the Bharatiya Janata Party here, former minister Gautam Singh formally joined the Rashtriya Lok Samta Party and lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement of special package of Rs 1.25 lakh crore for Bihar's development.

RLSP chief and union minister Upender Kushwaha welcomed Gautam Singh, a close relative of senior Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Prabhunath Singh, into the party fold.

According to BJP and RLSP leaders here, some more JD-U legislators are expected to join the BJP ahead of the assembly polls scheduled for later this year.

On Wednesday Gayanendra Singh Gayanu, Rajeshwar Raj, Dinesh Kushwaha and Suresh Chanchal -- suspended from the party for six years for involvement in "anti-party activities" -- joined the BJP and are likely to contest next polls as BJP candidates.

Gayanendra Singh was considered close to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar before he revolted against him last year.