Tyagi ends 23-year stint with JD(U), to decide next political move soon

Patna: Senior JD(U) leader K C Tyagi on Tuesday formally ended his 23-year association with the Nitish Kumar-led party by deciding not to renew his membership. Confirming his exit, Tyagi said he has left the JD(U) and will decide his next political move after consulting like-minded people at a meeting scheduled for March 22 in New Delhi.

Tyagi had been with the JD(U) since its formation in Oct 2003, when the Samata Party merged with the Janata Dal. Over the years, he held several key positions in the party, including principal secretary general, chief spokesperson and political adviser, making him one of its most recognisable senior faces.

“Yes, I have left the JD(U),” Tyagi told TOI over phone on Tuesday. In a separate statement, the former Rajya Sabha member said the party’s membership campaign had concluded and that he had chosen not to renew his membership this time.

Even as he announced his departure, Tyagi underlined that his ideological commitments remain intact. He said his dedication to broader issues concerning the interests of the downtrodden, peasants, agriculturalists and other deprived sections of society remains as firm as ever. He also made it clear that his personal regard for Bihar CM and JD(U) president Nitish Kumar has not changed. Referring to Nitish as a comrade of nearly half a century, Tyagi said his respect for him remains unchanged.

Tyagi said his future course of action would be decided soon after consultations with the necessary people. He added that some of his political friends, sympathisers and activists are organising a meeting of like-minded persons on March 22, 2026, at Mavlankar Hall on Rafi Marg in New Delhi to discuss the political situation in the country.

The veteran socialist leader also said he and his associates would continue to draw inspiration from the ideas and ideology of Bharat Ratna Chaudhary Charan Singh, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia and Bharat Ratna Karpoori Thakur.

Tyagi had earlier resigned as JD(U)’s national chief spokesperson in Sept 2024, officially citing personal reasons. However, media reports had suggested that his views on issues such as the Waqf Amendment Bill, caste census and lateral entry often differed from the party line, creating discomfort within the NDA.