EC verdict: Nitish wins battle for control of JD(U)

New Delhi: In a significant win over dissident leader Sharad Yadav, the Election Commission on Friday recognised the group led by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar as the real Janata Dal (United).

Rejecting rebel JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav faction's claim on the party's election symbol, the Election Commission in its order said that Nitish Kumar-led faction is entitled to use the 'Arrow' poll symbol of the party.

Notably, after opposing Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's move to break alliance with RJD and join hands with the BJP, Yadav had approached the poll panel claiming that he represented the real JD(U) and staked the claim for party's symbol. Later, Nitish Kumar's group had also submitted the members' affidavits to the Commission in its support.

The EC, in its order, said that the group led by Kumar "has demonstrated overwhelming majority support" in the legislature wing as well as the majority in the national council of the party, which is the apex organisational body of the JD(U).

"The group led by Nitish Kumar is at this moment recognised as the Janata Dal (United)...Consequently, the group led by Nitish Kumar is entitled to use the reserved symbol 'Arrow' of the party as a recognised State Party in Bihar," the order read.

Commenting on the decision, JD(U) spokesperson Neeraj Kumar said, "The order of EC is a validation of what we had claimed. I'm sorry to say that Sharad Yadavji was daydreaming to stake his claim over the party on the 'super advice' of RJD leader Lalu Prasad."

"The EC decision is a big slap on Lalu Prasad who hatched the conspiracy by using Sharad ji. It's a victory for people of Bihar who have shown their trust and gave a clear mandate. We are committed to people welfare and EC decision in our favour is a victory of truth over evil," Kumar told Millennium Post.