Siddiqui had called a meeting of RJD MLAs that day but did not hold it then. And the latter retorted, вЂњYou people have been saying this for two years now. The MLA told Bijay Choudhary, loud enough for Siddiqui to hear, that he would soon lose his position to Siddiqui. Party insiders say they have no doubt he was acting at the behest of Siddiqui.ДЄs Siddiqui rose to speak on the governorвЂ™s speech, a BJP MLA needled Water Resources Minister Bijay Kumar Choudhary, known as the number two in the government. When the budget session began February 14, he submitted to the speaker an application вЂњduly signedвЂќ by 13 MLAs, not including Siddiqui. Choudhary, MLA from Parbatta and the RJDвЂ™s chief whip, is among the four who havenвЂ™t returned to the party. The RJDвЂ™s Samrat Choudhary took the lead role in breaking away. RJD insiders say such efforts picked up again in the beginning of this month. Word was in the air, something Sidiqqui himself concedes, that he was being offered the deputy CMвЂ™s post if he could lead a breakaway flock with the 15 MLAs necessary. It was with this anticipation that the JD(U) did not go for a cabinet expansion. Click graphic to enlargeД«y October, when Lalu was convicted in the fodder scam, the JD(U) was optimistic the RJD would split of its own. The bonhomie between the ruling party and Sidiqqui showed in the assembly during last yearвЂ™s monsoon session, when Chief Minister Nitish Kumar told him pleasantly, вЂњWhat are you doing on that side? Please come over this side.вЂќ The tone was playful but many saw this as an open invitation. Propped by the support of four Congress MLAs and as many independents, the JD(U) is said to have sent Sidiqqui its first feelers last July.

Siddiqui has frequently been accused of being soft on the ruling JD(U), which has been looking for a clear, single majority ever since it split from the BJP.

Bari siddiqui pictures