Addressing a press conference at the RJD headquarters, Jha cited Paragraph 2(2) of the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, which provides for the disqualification of an Independent legislator who joins a political party after being elected.
He also invoked Article 191(2), arguing that the two candidates were no longer eligible to take charge as members of the legislative council.
“We had heard of vote theft. This is mandate theft. I would not even call it theft. It is robbery,” Jha said.
He alleged that the BJP had facilitated the two candidates’ move to weaken its ally, the Janata Dal (United), and claimed that the party was more concerned about restricting the JD(U) than countering the opposition.
Jha rejected the claim that the candidates had merely extended support to the BJP. He showed a video clip of the two holding what he described as a joining slip, arguing that it demonstrated their formal induction into the party.
He urged the legislative council chairman to act impartially and warned that the RJD would pursue legal proceedings and public protests if the two were not disqualified.