Told To Quit, Nitish Kumar's Party Leader Says "Won't Leave Without Share"

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has asked his party colleague and parliamentary board chairman Upendra Kushwaha to quit the JD(U).

Mr Kushwaha retorted saying that he could not leave the party without his share in the "paternal property".

This comes amid speculation about Mr Kushwaha 'being in touch' with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

"Well said, Bhai Saheb....! If the younger brothers keep leaving the house like this at the advice of the elder brothers, then all elder brothers will grab the entire property of Baap-Dada (ancestors) by throwing away the younger brothers. How can I go out (of the party) while leaving behind my share in entire properties...?" Upendra Kushwaha tweeted in Hindi.

Meanwhile, JD(U) leader Umesh Kushwaha slammed party leader Upendra Kushwaha. He said, "Upendra Kushwaha should be ashamed of his conduct. Nitish Kumar has given him so much but he is trying to break the JD(U). He should resign from the party."

"Till now he hasn't submitted the form for the membership drive. If he has any ethics, he should leave the party himself."

"Nitish ji made him Upendra Kushwaha from Upendra Singh. He sent him to the parliament and the council," claimed Umesh Kushwaha.

The JD(U) leader further stated that the party grew strong on its own but when Upendra Kushwaha joined the party, he worked to weaken it.

"If he has any self-respect, he should very well resign. The ones who cheated Nitish ji should be careful," warned Umesh Kushwaha targeting the JD(U) leader.

Earlier on Sunday, Upendra Kushwaha refuted the rumours about him joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

On Saturday reacting to the speculations of Upendra Kushwaha's alleged proximity with the BJP, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said that he will meet Mr Kushwaha and discuss it.

"Please ask Upendra Kushwaha to talk to me. He left the party earlier too, I don't know what he wants. I was not in Patna so I'm not aware of it. He is currently unwell, I'll meet him and discuss this," Nitish Kumar said during his Samadhan Yatra in Gaya.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)