Patna, May 14: Ajay Alok was today reinstated as JDU spokesperson with insiders believing he will do a good job at defending the party at a time the government is facing revived fire from the Opposition.

Ajay was removed as spokesperson on November 11 last year, because his stand on India's surgical strike on Pakistan was in variance with the party leadership's view. JDU state unit president Bashishtha Narayan Singh made the announcement of bringing back Ajay, a good orator, at his official residence 36 Hardinge Road in Patna.

The development comes at a time the Grand Alliance is under attack over charges of corruption and financial irregularities levelled at Lalu Prasad, and none of the JDU spokespersons being able to defend it, especially with tact in television debates.

Ajay and knows the art of defence, which is one of the main reasons Nitish Kumar - the JDU national president - has reinstated him. "Everyone knows that he is a good orator and defends the party nicely. He also understands politics very well and judges things accordingly," a party insider told The Telegraph. "At the same time, Ajay was in constant touch with the state unit president."

The Telegraph asked Bashishtha if Ajay had been reinstated because the Grand Alliance is facing serious charges and their leaders, including Nitish, are unable to defend or speak. "This is just your imagination," he said. "Nitish is the leader of Grand Alliance and he is busy doing developmental work.

"We have given him the same post and responsibility what he earlier used to hold and I am sure that he will live up to the expectations of the party," Bashishtha added.

MLC Sanjay Gandhi was present at today's programme as Nitish's emissary and before Bashishtha's formal announcement, spent half-an-hour with him.

Ajay (42), who holds an MBBS degree and has a hospital of his own as well, started his political career in 2005 with the LJP and was fielded from the Chainpur Assembly seat the same year. After a stint with the BSP, he joined JDU in 2012. After being removed as JDU spokesperson last year, Ajay purportedly hobnobbed with BJP leaders in Delhi but nothing materialised. He remained aloof from JDU activities and was visible on Twitter, posting tweets slightly favouring the BJP.

Today, he thanked Nitish and Bashishtha. "I thank our state president and national president for giving me the responsibility and will try to give my best to the party."