“There is no difference between JD(U) and RLD; their ideals are Chaudhary Charan Singh, Karpoori Thakur and Ram Manohar Lohia,” Tyagi told news agency PTI after joining the party.
The former Rajya Sabha MP, a founding member of Nitish Kumar's party, resigned from the party on March 17, ANI reported. He did not specify any reason behind his exit from JD(U).
KC Tyagi, veteran JD(U) leader who resigned from party earlier this week, joined the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) in the presence of its president Jayant Choudhary on Sunday.
On Wednesday, Tyagi said that he did not participate in the latest membership drive of the party, adding that there was no personal friction between him and CM Nitish Kumar due to the Rajya Sabha seat allocation.
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"I am the founder of Janata Dal (United) alongside George Fernandes, Sharad Yadav, Nitish Kumar, and Digvijay Singh... I have been a member ever since. However, I did not participate in this membership drive," he said.
On relationship with Bihar CM, Tyagi said his "relationship with Nitish Kumar and the Bihar JDU remains the same".
"I am the founder of Janata Dal (United) alongside George Fernandes, Sharad Yadav, Nitish Kumar, and Digvijay Singh... I have been a member ever since. However, I did not participate in this membership drive," he said.
The resignation comes shortly after Nitish is set to resign as Bihar chief minister, following his debut in Rajya Sabha. The JD(U) founder's departure from state politics, ending his two-decade run as CM, has sent shockwaves among party cadres. The NDA has so far not announced Nitish's successor to lead the state government.
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Tyagi also addressed speculations around his entry into Rajya Sabha, saying, "There is not a single instance of me trying for a Rajya Sabha ticket. Even in 2013, Nitish Kumar called me and offered me a ticket."
Tyagi had earlier resigned as JD(U)'s national chief spokesperson in September 2024.
Tyagi's association with JD(U) dates back to October 2003 when the party came into existence after the merger of the Samata Party and the Janata Dal. He served the party in various capacities, including as its chief general secretary, chief spokesperson and political adviser.