Veteran JD(U) leader KC Tyagi resigned from his role as the party’s national spokesperson on Sunday, citing personal reasons. Tyagi, who had served in this capacity since 2000 with a brief hiatus in 2023, disclosed to The Indian Express that he had intended to step down last year, but the party had requested him to continue. He explained that the demanding nature of the role, which involves being available from 7 am to 11 pm daily, led him to believe it was time for the younger generation to take over.

Tyagi’s resignation follows recent controversies surrounding his outspoken remarks on sensitive issues, which have reportedly placed the JD(U) in a difficult position within the NDA coalition. His statements on various ideological matters, including the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and the Israel-Hamas conflict, drew criticism from both allies and opponents.

According to JD(U) sources, Tyagi’s comments on controversial issues, such as his critical statements about former Chief Ministers Ashok Gehlot and Vasundhara Raje, and his joint statements with Opposition leaders on the Israel-Hamas war, were seen as problematic. These remarks reportedly created friction within the NDA and led to his removal from the spokesperson role.

Tyagi’s recent public statements included criticism of BJP policies and engagement with Opposition leaders, which further aggravated tensions. His comments on caste census and SC/ST sub-categorisation, along with his joint statement on the Israel-Palestine conflict, were perceived as undermining the party’s position and alliance with the BJP.

Despite his departure from the spokesperson role, Tyagi remains a political adviser to the party. He dismissed rumors of dissatisfaction with the new party leadership and expressed continued support for JD(U) under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

The party has appointed senior leader Rajiv Ranjan Prasad as the new national spokesperson. Tyagi’s resignation is seen as a significant loss for the party, given his experience and ability to defend its core ideology.