JD-U suspends its legislator for six years

Bihar's ruling Janata Dal-United (JD-U) Friday suspended its legislator Rajiv Ranjan from the party for six years.

JD-U president Sharad Yadav suspended Rajiv as he was involved in anti-party activities, party general secretary K.C. Tayagi said.

"Rajiv was suspended for his anti-party activities that violated discipline and created bad image of the party. It is an action to maintain discipline in the party," Tyagi said.

Rajiv has been criticising the state government and repeatedly targeting former chief minister and senior JD-U leader Nitish Kumar in the past one month.

It was Rajiv, who claimed that Bihar is on top in corruption in government.

He also questioned the JD-U's alliance with the RJD of Lalu Prasad for by-elections in 10 assembly constituencies that concluded Thursday in the state.

The suspension has come after by-elections ended.

"Discipline in the party has to be maintained and indiscipline cannot be tolerated," Tyagi said.

However, Rajiv alleged that he was suspended by party on the directive of Lalu Prasad.

"Now I will work to expose the JD-U and the RJD alliance which heralds return of jungle raj -2," he said.

It is not first such act against rebel party legislators.

In last April, JD-U suspended its three women legislators, including a former minister, for campaigning and seeking votes for the BJP against party candidates.

In June rebel legislator Ravinder Rai was suspended from the party for six years.