"The national executive of RJD has already authorised Lalu Prasad to take a decision on crucial matters. Whatever he decides on Rajya Sabha polls, will be followed by party MLAs," RJD state president Ramchandra Purve told reporters.
Asked whether RJD legislators will vote for candidates put up by JD(U) or Independents propped up by rebels and helped by BJP, Purve evaded a direct reply and said "all options are open for the party".
Purve said a whip could be issued on voting for the three Rajya Sabha seats if needed but that was also for Prasad to decide.
Yesterday, a section of media had reported that the RJD chief has asked his legislators to vote according to their wisdom. But, while talking to PTI, Prasad had denied issuing any such instructions.
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He said he would take a call on party role on RS vote after talking to MLAs.
Three Rajya Sabha seats from Bihar fell vacant after LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan, BJP general secretary Rajiv Pratap Rudy and Ram Kripal Yadav resigned after winning the recently held Lok Sabha elections.
On the other hand, JD(U) rebels have propped up builder and party candidate in Lok Sabha polls Anil Sharma and former Rajya Sabha member Sabir Ali. They are also supporting BJP's Dilip Kumar Jaiswal, a candidate who lost the Lok Sabha polls from Kishanganj constituency.
With JD(U)'s two candidates other than Sharad Yadav facing stiff challenge from Independents, 21 votes of RJD are crucial for both the sides.
The JD(U) rebels are claiming support of 50 party legislators who are up in arms against former CM Nitish Kumar.