‘Group of 22’ weakening JD(U), says Anand Mohan

Patna: Former MP Anand Mohan has triggered fresh political debate by alleging that a “group of 22 people” is working to weaken the JD(U), the party headed by former CM Nitish Kumar.Speaking to mediapersons in Patna on Wednesday night, Anand claimed there were 22 people within the party who had first been given tickets and later made members. “Sablog jante hain ki 22 log aise hain jinhe pahle ticket diya gaya, phir member banaya gaya,” he said, while asserting that he would continue to remain with the party.“Whoever wants to go can run away, I won’t go,” Anand said. However, the JD(U) maintained that he was not associated with the party. His wife, Lovely Anand, and son, Chetan Anand, were elected to the Lok Sabha and the state assembly, respectively, on JD(U) tickets. Responding to Anand’s remarks, state JD(U) spokesperson Neeraj Kumar said, “What should I say against him when he is not associated with the party.”When asked whether he planned to launch a new political party, Anand gave an evasive reply. “Waqt aane pe bata denge tujhe ye aasman, ham abhi se kya batayen kya hamare dil me hai,” he said.Anand further alleged that the group had damaged Nitish’s political legacy. “The group of such dishonest people destroyed lifelong penance of Nitish,” he claimed.He also said the JD(U) emerged after the merger of his erstwhile Bihar People’s Party and the Samata Party and claimed to have played a key role in the formation of the NDA.Reacting to the remarks, RJD spokesperson Shakti Singh Yadav alleged the comments reflected growing frustration within the JD(U). “Anand ji is not alone. In fact, he has the support of a certain section of the JD(U),” Shakti claimed, adding that the party would be finished within six months.