PATNA: Bihar’s ruling Janata Dal (United), or JD-U, on Tuesday, announced two new teams of party office bearers at the national and state level.
JD-U president Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh appointed 22 general secretaries, seven secretaries, a vice president and a treasurer. KC Tyagi, who was the principal general secretary-cum-principal spokesperson in the outgoing team, does not figure in the new team.
A JD-U leader said Tyagi was kept out of the list of office-bearers on his request. Asked about the new team, KC Tyagi said chief minister Nitish Kumar had recently spoken about his request at a party meeting and indicated “a new role” for him.
Former MP Magni Lal Mandal has been appointed as the party’s vice president while former MLC Rajeev Ranjan, who exited the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) – he was the state unit’s vice president and spokesperson – has been appointed as JD-U general secretary and national spokesperson.
Among the other general secretaries of the party are MP Ramnath Thakur, Bihar minister Sanjay Kumar Jha and Ghulam Rasool Balyawi whose recent controversial statements embarrassed the party.
The party hasn’t named anyone as the parliamentary board chairman, a post created by the party to accommodate Upendra Kushwaha who resigned from the party in February to float a new outfit.
STATE COMMITTEE
JD (U) state president Umesh Kushwaha also announced a 251-member state committee on Tuesday.
The committee has 20 vice presidents, 105 general secretaries, 114 secretaries, 11 spokespersons and one treasurer.
“The team is a blend of experience and youth. Those who have been working continuously for the unity and strength of the party for a long time, young colleagues have also been taken care of in this committee,” he said.
The committee has been formed keeping in mind the Lok Sabha 2024 and assembly elections 2025. “I have full faith that the new team will provide new energy to the organization with full dedication and strength,” said state president Umesh Kushwaha, adding that there was an effort to accommodate all sections of society.
