Ex-Bihar Speaker quits JD-U over anti-Dalit policies

Patna May 2 (IANS) Senior ruling JD-U leader Uday Narain Choudhary a former Speaker of the Bihar Assembly on Wednesday said he was quitting the ruling Janata Dal-United (JD-U) to denounce the state government s anti-Dalit policies.

"I have resigned from the JD-U over the party leadership s silence on increasing crime and atrocities against Dalits in Bihar and across the country. The government led by the party is also pursuing anti-Dalit policies " the Dalit leader told the media.

Choudhary has expressed his displeasure with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar the JD-U President since he teamed up with the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Choudhary once considered close to Nitish Kumar said: "I was neglected ignored and sidelined in the party and no attention was paid when I raised issues related to Dalits."

In recent times Choudhary has joined hands with the RJD and former BJP leader Yaswant Sinha. On Tuesday he led a march here in support of the Dalit cause.

--IANS
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