Upendra Kushwaha meets Bihar CM Nitish Kumar; sparks off speculation over joining NDA

Almost a month on from Bihar election results, RLSP chief Upendra Kushwaha has met CM Nitish Kumar, sparking off speculation that he might join NDA soon. Local media reports say that Nitish Kumar and Kushwaha h a closed-door meeting in which a deal could have been sealed. Quoting sources, reports said that Kushwaha might be a candidate in MLC polls and Nitish Kumar might induct him in his cabinet. 

With BJP winning more seats than JDU in this year's election, Nitish Kumar, despite being at helm of affairs, cant play big-bror. With his trusted lieutenant and ex-Deputy CM Sushil Modi going for a Central role, and BJP placing Tarkishore Pras and Renu Devi as second in command, Nitish is desperately looking for a loyal ally within government. While VIP's Mukesh Sahni h joined NDA before election, benefitting alliance with votes of his community, Kushwaha will be a boost to NDA, especially because alliance is in need of a Dalit face after demise of Ram Vilas Paswan.

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In assembly polls, AIMIM entered fray after stitching toger an alliance - 'Grand Democratic Secular Front - with Mayawati's BSP, Upendra Kushwaha-led RLSP, SJD(D) and Om Prakash Rajbhar-led SBSP. alliance declared Upendra Kushwaha as ir CM face. Kushwaha-led RLSP, which is eyeing to be relevant in political picture of state won one seat.

Upendra Kushwaha, once closest side of Nitish Kumar, h entered electoral politics in 2000 by winning Jandaha seat. He was leer of Opposition when Samata Party merged with JD(U) and emerged as largest opposition party in 2004. However, he was expelled from party in 2007 and floated Rashtriya Samata Party in 2009. He again me a comeback to JDU and was me a Rajya Sabha MP. In 2013, he again left JDU and floated Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP).

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In 2014 general elections, his RLSP won three seats that it contested as a part of NDA, and was me Union minister of state in Human Resource Development Ministry. But in 2015 Assembly polls, RLSP won only two seats out of 23 contested. In 2019 Lok Sabha polls, he joined hands with RJD and became a part of Mahagathbandhan but drew a blank. 

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