NDA fissures? KC Tyagi resigns as JD(U) spokesperson; replaced by Rajiv Prasad

Janata Dal (United) spokesperson KC Tyagi, whose stand on different issues often highlighted his party's differences with ally BJP, has resigned from his post.

Announcing Tyagi’s decision in a statement on Sunday (September 1), the party said that its president and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has appointed Rajiv Ranjan Prasad as its national spokesperson.

Tyagi quit due to personal reasons: JD(U)

It attributed Tyagi's resignation to "personal reasons".

However, it is believed that frequent comments of Tyagi, who is based in Delhi and enjoys an unlikely high profile in the national media for a regional party leader due to his experience and articulation, on central government's policies were seen as unhelpful to the BJP-JD(U) ties.

Be it on the Uniform Civil Code, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill or even the government's position on the Palestine issue among other issues, the socialist leader's outspoken stand did not go down well many within the party and embarrassed the BJP, sources said.

Widening rift in NDA?

With two senior JD(U) leaders, including Union minister Lalan Singh and its parliamentary party leader Sanjay Jha, based in Delhi, party sources said there is a view that the two leaders should be left to shape the ties with the BJP without frequent public interjections of Tyagi.

Sources told PTI that the BJP has been reaching out to allies to maintain coordination and harmony in the ruling National Democratic Alliance in its bid to quell reports of differences in the bloc.

(With inputs from agencies)