Ram Kripal Yadav may join BJP

Rashtriya Janata Dal leader and Rajya Sabha member Ramkripal Yadav addresses the press in New Delhi. File photo

Ram Kripal Yadav, a once close aide of Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad, is likely to join the BJP on Tuesday, dealing a blow to the RJD chief.

Sources said he is likely to be fielded against Mr. Prasad’s daughter Misa Bharati from the Patliputra constituency for the Lok Sabha elections.

Mr. Yadav had quit all RJD posts on Saturday after party chief Lalu Prasad nominated his daughter, Ms. Bharati, as the candidate from Patliputra.

Mr. Yadav apparently talked to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and insisted on contesting from Patliputra. However, it did not find favour with the JD(U), which did not want to damage the damage of its own candidate from the constituency, Ranjan Prasad Yadav, who is the sitting MP.

Meanwhile, on Monday, RJD MLC Gulam Gaus resigned from the primary membership of the party and joined the Janata Dal (United). He is likely to contest the election from Madhubani.

*The report has been corrected for a factual error.