KC Tyagi resigns as JDU spokesperson amid leadership shakeup in Nitish Kumar’s party
PTC News Desk: Veteran Janata Dal (United) (JDU) leader KC Tyagi has stepped down from his position as the party’s spokesperson. Rajiv Ranjan Prasad has been appointed as his successor by JDU President and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. While the party has stated that Tyagi’s resignation was due to “personal reasons,” the move is being viewed as a strategic effort by JDU to manage fallout from recent controversial statements made by Tyagi.
In an official statement, the JDU confirmed: “The National President of Janata Dal (United), Shri Nitish Kumar (Chief Minister, Bihar) has appointed Shri Rajiv Ranjan Prasad as the National Spokesperson. Shri K.C. Tyagi, who has been serving as the party spokesperson, has resigned from the post due to personal reasons.”
The resignation comes at a time when JDU, a crucial ally in the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), is working to maintain harmony within the coalition after the BJP’s narrow victory in the general elections. The BJP has reportedly been urging its allies to ensure consistent coordination within the NDA.
Tyagi’s recent remarks on various issues have reportedly caused friction within the alliance. His comments on the Waqf Amendment Bill, the Uniform Civil Code, and international issues such as the conflict in Gaza have been particularly controversial.
Tyagi was a signatory to a statement condemning Israel’s actions in Gaza, which read: “We, the undersigned Parliamentarians from across the political spectrum, unequivocally condemn the ongoing Zionist aggression and the heinous genocide of the Palestinian people by Israel. This brutal assault is not only an affront to humanity but also a gross violation of international law and the principles of justice and peace.” This statement also criticized India’s stance on the issue, which further complicated JDU’s position.
Sources within JDU have indicated that Tyagi’s independent stance on these issues was causing embarrassment and creating unnecessary tension with the BJP. The party leadership felt that Tyagi’s unilateral statements were problematic and that he should have sought internal consultations before addressing contentious issues publicly.
The appointment of Rajiv Ranjan Prasad as the new spokesperson is seen as an attempt to align JDU’s public statements more closely with the party’s overall strategy and its alliance with the BJP.