“Tainted” politician and former Union minister Mohammad Taslimuddin on Sunday formally joined Bihar’s ruling JD(U) at a ceremony in his hometown of Kishenganj attended by chief minister Nitish Kumar of the JD(U).
For long the Muslim face of Lalu Prasad Yadav’s RJD in Bihar, Taslimuddin, a three-term MP, had joined the Congress last year after he lost the Lok Sabha polls in Muslim-dominated Kishenganj. Nitish Mr Kumar’s keenness for the Muslim votes in Kishenganj and neighbouring districts in Bihar’s north-eastern Seemanchal region has prompted the JD(U) to induct the controversial leader, who faces some serious criminal charges.
Hundreds of Taslimuddin’s supporters also joined the JD(U) at the ceremony that was partially disrupted by demonstrations by people protesting against the government’s relief and rehabilitation measures in Kishenganj in the aftermath of the 2008 Kosi floods.
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Amar Singh fears threat to his life
age correspondent
Lucknow
Former Samajwadi Party leader and president of the All-India Lok Manch Amar Singh on Sunday said that he apprehended a threat to his life from SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and UP chief minister Mayawati.
Talking to reporters here, Mr Singh said that Mr Yadav and Ms Mayawati were not prepared to accept his emergence as an independent political leader and this endangered his personal security.
“There is a serious threat to my life and these leaders should be held responsible if anything happens to me, my family members and other leaders of the Lok Manch,” BJP chief Gadkari said.
Asked if the Samajwadi Party has written to the Central government to withdraw the security provided to him, he replied, “I am glad that Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav is neither the home minister nor the Prime Minister of this country.”
Talking about his efforts for creation of Purvanchal state, Mr Amar Singh said that merely supporting the demand of a separate Purvanchal state would not help unless the state Assembly passed a resolution.