JD-U not to renominate its three Rajya Sabha MPs

Bihar's ruling Janata Dal (United) will not renominate its three MPs in the biennial elections to five Rajya Sabha seats from the state to be held Feb 7 and has decided to field new faces this time, party sources said Thursday.

A senior JD-U leader close to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said the party will not renominate its three retiring MPs.

"The JD-U has decided to field new faces to the Rajya Sabha," the JD-U leader said.

According to party leaders, the three retiring JD(U) Rajya Sabha MPs -- N.K. Singh, Shivanand Tiwari and Sabir Ali -- have instead been offered an opportunity to contest the Lok Sabha polls.

"Singh was offered nomination on the Banka Lok Sabha seat, Tiwari on Buxar seat and Ali from Sheohar," a JD-U leader said.

JD-U president Sharad Yadav is arriving here Thursday night and he is likely to formally announce the party decision.

Three of these five seats are with the JD-U while one each is with RJD and BJP.

However, now the RJD in not in position to re-elect any member as it has only 22 MLAs. Consequently, the JD-U and BJP are likely to win three and two seats, respectively.