JD(U) withdraws Palamau candidate in favour of BJP

Ranchi, Mar 14 (UNI) Ending all speculations of break-up in the NDA, its ally JD(U), which earlier announced to go for friendly contest with the BJP in the bypoll to the Palamu Parliamentary seat today withdrew its candidate from the fray.

On March 12, the JD(U) fielded Mr Jitendra Paswan as its candidate from the Palamu parliamentary seat, the by-election for which is scheduled on March 29.

Talking to reporters here, state JD(U) president Jaleshwar Mahto said the party had sacrificed the Palamu seat to defeat the UPA dispensation in the state.

Mr Mahto said that Jawahar Pawan, fielded by the BJP would be the only NDA candidate, and they would put all effort for his victory.

The separate nominations by both the BJP and JD(U) had become the bone of contention among the JD(U) leaders, which resulted into resignation of senior party leader and former speaker Inder Singh Namdhari from the House on March 11 evening.

UNI