Upset with Nitish, JD-U MLA votes for Congress in Gujarat Rajya Sabha polls

Gujarat JD-U MLA Chotubhai Vasava on Tuesday said he voted for Congress candidate Ahmed Patel in the Rajya Sabha election as he was opposed to his party President Nitish Kumar aligning with BJP in Bihar.

"I have voted for Ahmed Patel and performed my duty of being a loyal friend," Vasava said attacking the state's BJP government in Gujarat which, he said, has been looting the state since last 20 years.

Asked if he was not with Nitish Kumar, who has formed a new government with BJP in Bihar, Vasava said he was opposed to the alignment with BJP.

"I am also a party member but was not consulted before the decision was taken. He (Nitish) should have convened a meeting," the lone JD-U MLA told NDTV.

Janata Dal-United leader Sharad Yadav has also opposed Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's alliance with the BJP to form the new government in Bihar.

Nitish Kumar on July 26 resigned as the Chief Minister, breaking the 20-month-old Grand Alliance of the Rashtriya Janata Dal, the Congress and the JD-U.

After the surprise break-up, Nitish Kumar next morning aligned again with the BJP and formed a new coalition government in the state with the BJP support.

--IANS

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