JD(U) replaces candidate with ally BJP leader

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD(U) on Wednesday changed it candidate from the Sitamarhi Lok Sabha constituency, after its nominee Dr Varun Kumar returned the party symbol expressing his "inability" to contest the Lok Sabha poll.

Following the development, the JD(U) 'imported' BJP leader Sunil Kumar Pintu into the party, minutes before declaring him as the candidate from the constituency on Wednesday.

Pintu, while interacting with media persons, said he got a call from Nitish Kumar. "Both BJP and JD-U are a part of NDA, then how is it that I switched sides? I am an NDA contestant," said Pintu, a former minister.

Announcing Pintu's candidature, Bihar minister and JD(U) leader Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh said, "Our candidate Dr Varun Kumar after touring the constituency wrote to the party expressing his inability to contest the polls. The party then decided to ask Sunil Kumar Pintu to contest the election."

JD-U insiders say Dr Kumar did not find support from the local JD-U as well as BJP leaders and workers and hence was not keen on contesting. "As the JD(U) could not find a suitable candidate within the party, it asked Pintu to switch over and contest the election," said a JD(U) source.