RLD chief Jayant Chaudhary with KC Tyagi (PTI photo)
NEW DELHI: Senior JD(U) leader KC Tyagi on Sunday pledged to carry forward former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh’s legacy after joining the Rashtriya Lok Dal, after parting way from the Nitish Kumar-led party, which has been at the helm of the Bihar government for the past two decades under chief minister Nitish Kumar.However, Tyagi’s political base lies in western Uttar Pradesh, far from JD(U)’s stronghold in Bihar. Meanwhile, the RLD, also an NDA ally, has been in influence in Uttar Pradesh, especially in the western region, carrying forward the legacy of Chaudhary Charan Singh under the leadership of his grandson, Jayant Chaudhary.Tyagi said his move reflects continuity rather than change, stressing that there is no difference between JD(U) and the RLD, while recalling past efforts by Nitish Kumar and Chaudhary Ajit Singh to come together politically.
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Speaking to ANI, Tyagi said, “I began my political career with the Lok Dal itself. This is just its original form; there’s nothing new in it… We will help fulfil the dream that Chaudhary Charan Singh left behind… There is no difference between JD(U) and RLD. There was a time when Nitish Kumar and Chaudhary Ajit Singh were set to form a party together. There is no difference between these two.”Tyagi formally joined the RLD in New Delhi in the presence of party president and Union minister Jayant Chaudhary. The veteran socialist leader, a founding member of JD(U), had resigned from the party on March 17.Earlier this week, Tyagi said he did not take part in the party’s latest membership drive, clarifying that there is no personal friction between him and Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar over the Rajya Sabha seat allocation.Maintaining that his ties with the party remain intact, Tyagi said his “relationship with Nitish Kumar and the Bihar JDU remains the same”.”I am the founder of Janata Dal (United) alongside George Fernandes, Sharad Yadav, Nitish Kumar, and Digvijay Singh… I have been a member ever since. However, I did not participate in this membership drive,” he said.The senior leader also addressed speculation around his parliamentary ambitions, denying that his exit was linked to any bid for a Rajya Sabha seat. “There is not a single instance of me trying for a Rajya Sabha ticket. Even in 2013, Nitish Kumar called me and offered me a ticket,” said Tyagi.
