Sharad Yadav steps down as JDU chief, Nitish Kumar likely to be new party president

JD(U) is set to elect a new president in its National Council meeting on April 10, bringing an end to the over 10-year long tenure of Sharad Yadav, who resigned from the post today.

Patna: Janata Dal (United) president Sharad Yadav on Monday stepped down from the post of party president amid speculations, thus bringing an end to his 10-year long tenure.

According to PTI, 68-year-old Yadav, who had been serving as the party chief for the last three terms, resigned from the post today and is unlikely to contest for party presidency again. 

"Sharad Yadav as party president has completed his three successive terms. He has now refused to make any amendment in the party constitution so as to elect him for the next coming term," PTI quoted party spokesperson K C Tyagi as saying.

It was Yadav, who himself showed unwillingness to contest for the presidency election again and conveyed to Kumar that a new person should be put in command. The report further added that Nitish Kumar may himself become the party chief.

Meanwhile, buzz is there that the Bihar's ruling Janata Dal United is planning for an expansion beyond the JD(U)-ruled state before the commencement of Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, slated to be held next year.

According to reports, Nitish Kumar's JD(U) will join hands with 'Rashtriya Lok Dal' (RLD) of Ajit Singh and former Jharkhand Chief Minister Babulal Marandi-led​ 'Jharkhand Vikas Morcha'. The two smaller parties will also become part of the new outfit which will begin its Uttar Pradesh poll campaign from Varanasi.

JD(U) is set to elect the new president in its National Council meeting to be held on April 10 in the national capital.