Patna: An imminent split stared in the face of the Samata Party in Bihar on April 13 with Nitish Kumar loyalists expelling five senior leaders and ousting pro-George Fernandes leader of the Samata Legislature Party, Umashanker Singh, and the party's leader in the Legislative Council, P K Sinha, from their posts.

Amid a boycott by Fernandes supporters, Nitish loyalists held meetings of the state executive committee, state council and the Legislature party where they announced appointment of deputy leader of the Legislature party, Upendra Kushwaha, as the new leader replacing Singh and Mangni Lal Mandal in place of a recalcitrant Sinha.

PTI