2 RLSP MLAs turn up at BJP meet

Cracks within Union minister Upendra Kushwaha's Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP) came to the fore on Monday, with two of its MLAs in Bihar making a surprise appearance in the BJP legislature party meeting here on Monday night.

BJP leaders remained tight-lipped about the development, but sources within the party said on condition of anonymity that their presence at the meeting was a resounding snub to Kushwaha.

One of the MLAs, Sudhansu Shekhar, had recently visited Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's residence, triggering angry reactions from Kushwaha, who has since been accusing the Janata Dal (United) president of trying to poach his MLAs.

Earlier in the day, outside the Assembly premises, Shekhar told reporters: "I had met Kumar and there is nothing unusual in that. Legislators from all parties do meet the chief minister to discuss problems relating to their respective constituencies and I did nothing wrong."
In response to a query regarding Kushwaha's ultimatum to the NDA to finalise a seat-sharing deal by Friday, Shekhar cryptically remarked: "I am going to remain in the NDA."