Patna,(BiharTimes): When in 2009 and 2010 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections respectively the then National Democratic Alliance did very well in Bihar the media and political pundits were quick to give credit to women voters as, it was argued, that they were impressed by the chief minister Nitish Kumar’s move to increase their reservation in local bodies from 33 to 50 per cent.

It was highlighted that the women turned up in a large number to vote––and to vote for the ruling JD(U)-BJP.

Whether this was really the main factor behind the victory or not can not be said with certainty, but what can be said now is that women leaders of Janata Dal (United) are leaving the party––or forced to do so––in a large number.

Four of the senior woman MLAs have openly revolted in the recent weeks and are working overtime to ensure the defeat of the very man (Nitish Kumar) who reportedly ‘empowered’ them.

On April 19 the Janata Dal (United) suspended three of them––former minister Renu Kumari Kushwaha, Poonam Devi Yadav and Sujata Kumari––as they have been working against the party’s official candidates.

Then came the resignation of Annu Shukla, wife of Janata Dal (United) strongman, Munna Shukla, who is in jail now. She is contesting from Vaishali Lok Sabha seat as an Independent.

Incidentally, these developments took place after Parveen Amanullah quit the Nitish cabinet in February to contest from Patna Saheb on Aam Admi Party ticket.

Renu too quit the cabinet after her husband, Vijay Mandal, joined the BJP in the Purnea rally of Narendra Modi on March 10. Vijay is now contesting as the BJP candidate from Madhepura Lok Sabha seat and Renu is working for him. Thus the party was forced to suspend her.

Poonam is working for her co-wife-cum-sister, Krishna Yadav, of Rashtriya Janata Dal in Khagaria. Her decision came as a big embarrassment for the Janata Dal (United) as her husband, Ranvir Yadav, was considered too close to chief minister Nitish Kumar. He even fired in the air to disperse the mob, who were pelting stones at the CM during the latter’s Adhikar Yatra in September 2012.

Sujata is working against the party as her husband Vishwa Mohan Kumar, the sitting MP from Supaul, was denied ticket this time. The Janata Dal (United) gave ticket to Dilkeshwar Kamath this time.

With the virtual exit of the five women MLAs, including Parveen, the strength of the Janata Dal (United) in the state Assembly has gone down further.

Political observers are surprised at the way the women legislators are leaving the Nitish camp. They feel that the minority Janata Dal (United) government would be in a big trouble after the Parliament election. Not to speak of just women, even many men legislators may walk away.