Janata Dal (United) is a political party in India with political presence mainly in Bihar and Karnataka. It is led by Nitish Kumar. The current party was formed by the merger of the erstwhile Janata Dal (United) with the Samata Party on October 30, 2003. The uniting force is believed to be common opposition to Rashtriya Janata Dal in Bihar especially after the RJD welcomed Samata Party rebels like Raghunath Jha and Brahmananad Mandal into the party. Janata Dal (United) is a constituent of the National Democratic Alliance.
The Janata Dal (United) and the Rashtriya Janata Dal -- ironically bitter political opponents today -- originate from the same Janata Dal and Jayaprakash Narayan's call for a program of social transformation which he termed Sampoorna kraanthi or Total Revolution after Indira Gandhi was found guilty of violating electoral laws by the Allahabad High Court in 1974.
Currently, the JD(U) heads the government in Bihar. The JD(U) along with its alliance partner, the BJP defeated the RJD-led UPA government in Bihar in November, 2005. The government is headed by JD(U) leader, Nitish Kumar.
