JD(U) denies 'split', but believes Sharad Yadav, Ali Anwar won't attend upcoming meeting

New Delhi/ Saharsa (Bihar) [India], August 12 (ANI): The Janata Dal (United) (JD (U)) on Saturday said that there is no split in the party, however, adding it's not hopeful of Sharad Yadav and Ali Anwar of attending the party meeting on August 19.

"There is no split in JD(U) as such. We are holding a party meeting on August 19, but I don't think that Sharad Yadav and Ali Anwar will come," JD(U) general secretary K.C. Tyagi said, while addressing a press conference.

Meanwhile, responding to his replacement by Ram Chander Singh in the Rajya Sabha "due to his anti-party activities," Sharad Yadav said that he doesn't take such matters seriously.

"I don't take such things seriously. I believe that the trust has been broken," he told ANI.

However, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar yesterday said Yadav has every right to take his own decision as to where his loyalties lie, adding the decision to form an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was made with the consent of the entire party.

Yadav had, earlier in the day, claimed that he had sent fellow party leader Ali Anwar to attend a meeting of opposition parties convened by Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, so that Bihar-like grand alliance is replicated countrywide.

Anwar was suspended from the JD (U) parliamentary party for participating in the Opposition meeting called by Congress president Sonia Gandhi. (ANI)

This story has not been edited. It has been published as provided by ANI