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National

“Not allying with Congress a big mistake”

Lalu Prasad

Patna: After a dismal show in the Lok Sabha elections, Rashtriya Janata Dal president Lalu Prasad said on Saturday not contesting the polls in alliance with the Congress was a “big mistake” and the people of Bihar had “rejected” the fourth front.

“The decision to contest the elections without the Congress on our side was a big mistake and I acknowledge it. However, it is a matter of great happiness for me that the UPA is all set to form its government at the Centre,” Mr. Prasad told journalists.

Mr. Prasad said the RJD would continue to be part of the UPA. “Our relations with the Congress remain as they were before the polls.”

“It is true that the fourth front comprising the RJD, the LJP [Lok Jan Shakti Party] and the SP [Samajwadi Party] has been rejected by the people of Bihar. I humbly accept the people’s verdict and vow to continue to work for the betterment of the State,” he said.

The RJD chief said he would review the reasons for the defeat and the leaders of the fourth front would meet in Delhi on Sunday to discuss their future course of action.

He, however, did not agree with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s argument that it was a positive vote for the State’s NDA government’s development agenda.

“In electoral politics, it is not always development that fetches you good results. At times, the politicians sit atop the ship and at times are down in the sands,” he said.

Asked what role he saw for himself now that the RJD and the fourth front were decimated in Bihar, Mr. Prasad, who retained his Saran Lok Sabha seat, said: “I am strong enough even when alone. I have been fighting for Bihar’s cause and will continue to do so.” He described Mr. Nitish Kumar’s insistence on special status for Bihar as an “eyewash” and said that when the Rabri Devi government sought it during the NDA regime at the Centre, her demand was rejected. — PTI

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