PATNA, Nov. 2 -- A political row erupted in Bihar on Sunday after two newly-elected Independent members of the Legislative Council, Banshidhar Brajwasi and Rahul Raj, reportedly joined the BJP. This triggered demands from the RJD for their disqualification under the anti-defection law. The controversy took a turn after Brajwasi, who won the Tirhut graduates' seat, later denied formally joining the BJP, stating he had only extended support to the party. Rahul Raj, elected from the Saran teachers' constituency, also told Hindustan Times on Sunday that he had not joined the BJP but only extended support. The two MLCs had announced their decision at the BJP's state headquarters on Saturday and were photographed holding party membership slips. BJP spokesperson Kuntal Krishna and MLA Manoj Sharma later said that the two Independents had only extended support to the party and expressed confidence in the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, chief minister Samrat Choudhary and JD(U) president Nitish Kumar. The RJD, however, maintained that the two had formally joined the BJP after being elected as Independents, and they would attract disqualification under paragraph 2(2) of the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution. RJD MP Manoj Jha on Sunday accused the BJP of "mandate theft" after two Independent candidates recently elected to the Bihar Legislative Council reportedly joined the saffron party. He accused the BJP of "mandate theft" and said that the post-election switch amounted to a violation of the anti-defection law. P3...