A recalcitrant JDU legislator in poll-bound Bihar Friday joined RJD in what would be the first pre-poll defection by a sitting MLA this year. Sanjeev Kumar is JDU legislator from Parbatta in Khagaria district. RJD neta Tejashwi Yadav welcomed him into his party via videoconferencing as he was unable to attend the “Milan Samaroh” organised in Khagaria. For quite a while, Kumar has been at odds with his party. He recently organised a Brahmarshi conference in Patna to mobilise members of his Bhumihar caste. Tejashwi said Kumar’s entry would strengthen RJD and have an impact across the state. Despite being in the governing coalition, Kumar has openly criticised govt on matters such as farmers’ rights, land disputes and alleged irregularities in construction projects. JDU spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan Prasad said Kumar was the “main conspirator” in a previous failed bid to topple the Nitish Kumar govt.