Ajay Alok, a former spokesperson of Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)) in Bihar, joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday in Delhi in the presence of Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. Alok was suspended from the primary membership of JD(U) last year due to anti-party activities. He was expelled along with two state general secretaries, Anil Kumar and Vipin Kumar Yadav, and party leader Jitendra Neeraj.
The Bihar JD(U) chief Umesh Singh Kushwaha told reporters, “Party’s state general secretaries Anil Kumar and Vipin Yadav and spokesperson Ajay Alok are relieved of their posts and suspended from the party’s primary membership. Party leader Jitendra Neeraj is also being suspended from the primary membership of the party. This decision has been taken to strengthen the party and maintain discipline in the party.”
There were complaints about Alok running programs against the interests of the party and misleading workers for a few months. Some office-bearers were asked to refrain from such actions, but despite this, anti-party activities continued. Following his expulsion, Alok thanked the party and gave his best wishes to it. “Badi der kar di meherbaan aate aate. I am thankful to the party for relieving me. It was a long association with the party and was a good experience. All my best wishes to you” said Alok.
After joining BJP, Alok expressed his gratitude towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for welcoming him into the party. He also praised BJP’s policies and said that he will work for the betterment of the people under the guidance of the party’s leadership.
Alok, who hails from Bihar, was considered close to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. He was one of the prominent faces of the party and was known for his strong opinions and sharp criticism of the opposition. However, after his expulsion from the party, Alok criticized the JD(U) leadership and said that he was being targeted for his views.
With Alok’s entry into BJP, the party hopes to strengthen its base in Bihar, where it is currently in power in alliance with JD(U).