News Brief
Amid BJP's Concerns Over His Remarks, K C Tyagi Steps Down As JDU Spokesperson; Rajiv Ranjan Gets The Role
K C Tyagi with JDU chief and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar
K C Tyagi, a veteran leader of the Janata Dal (United), has stepped down from his role as the party's spokesperson.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has named Rajiv Ranjan Prasad as the party's new national spokesperson.
Although the JDU officially attributed Tyagi's resignation to "personal reasons," the move is being widely interpreted as a strategic effort to mitigate the fallout from Tyagi's controversial remarks on critical issues, which reportedly strained relations with the BJP.
"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 is in the party on the post of spokesperson, has resigned from the post of party spokesperson due to personal reason," the JDU has said in a statement.
According to a letter shared by news agency ANI, Tyagi had earlier requested to be relieved of his organisational duties.
In his letter to Kumar, Tyagi mentioned that he had refrained from participating in television debates for several months, citing other work commitments as a hindrance to fulfilling his role as spokesperson, and requested to be relieved from the responsibility.
"If required I will be available from time to time to speak about your achievements and those of your government in Bihar," he wrote.
Nitish Kumar's JDU is among the key allies that helped in the formation of the third Narendra Modi government after the BJP fell short of a majority in this general election.
In this context, Tyagi's statements on sensitive topics, including the Waqf Amendment Bill, the Uniform Civil Code, and the ongoing conflict in Gaza, caused significant embarrassment for the JDU.
Recently, Tyagi joined a group of parliamentarians and former MPs in issuing a statement condemning Israel.
"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," the statement said.
"As a nation that has always championed the cause of justice and human rights, India can not be complicit in this genocide," it added.
In addition to several opposition politicians, Tyagi was among the signatories of this statement.
The 73-year-old leader was increasingly diverging from the party line on various issues, causing discomfort within the party, NDTV reported citing JDU sources.
The JDU leadership reportedly felt that Tyagi should have sought consultation before making public statements on such contentious topics, which "created confusion and unnecessary friction" between the JDU and its ally BJP.
