Bihar Cong MLA Kushwaha’s meeting with JD U minister sparks buzz of rift in grand old party

Patna, Mar 29 (PTI) Congress MLA Surendra Kushwaha, who had abstained from voting in the recent Rajya Sabha elections, on Sunday met senior JD(U) leader and Bihar minister Ashok Choudhary, triggering speculations about fissures within the party.
    The Valmiki Nagar MLA, however, told reporters that the meeting with Choudhary, the rural works department minister, was related to development projects in his constituency.
    "As an elected representative, I need to remain in touch with ministers in the government. Had there been any ulterior motive, I would not have met him in broad daylight. You may have noticed that I went to the minister’s residence with the Congress flag displayed on my vehicle," Kushwaha said.
    Notably, Kushwaha was among three Congress MLAs -- in a party that has only six members in the Bihar Assembly -- who abstained from voting in the biennial elections to five Rajya Sabha seats in the state held on March 16.
    The absence of the three Congress MLAs and one RJD legislator resulted in a walkover for the ruling NDA and a defeat for Amrendra Dhari Singh, the lone Opposition candidate.
    Kushwaha had earlier defended his decision, saying he could not support "an upper-caste candidate" fielded by the RJD.
    Asked whether he would also meet Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who is also the JD(U) president, if required for constituency-related work, Kushwaha said, "Why not? The chief minister and the prime minister do not belong to any one party or coalition. MLAs who wish to serve their people must stay in touch with whoever is in office."

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)