Playing down the absence of RJD chief Lalu Prasad in election meetings of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul in Bihar, the state Congress on Monday refuted any rift in the alliance and reminded that there was no tradition of joint address by the two leaders.
“There is no tradition of joint poll campaign,” PCC vice president and media in-charge Prem Chand Mishra told reporters.
He dismissed suggestion of any “rift” in the tie-up for the 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar and said, “There should be no doubt about our alliance with the RJD due to this.”
Mr. Gandhi will hit the campaign trail in Bihar on Monday with a rally at Aurangabad in favour of former Kerala Governor Nikhil Kumar.
Ms. Gandhi will address a rally in Sasaram on April 3 in favour of Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar.
“Both Congress and RJD have full understanding over the alliance and campaigning is being done under a special plan. The leaders will go wherever they are needed the most,” Mr. Mishra explained.
Mr. Prasad has already campaigned for Congress candidates in Aurangabad and Sasaram asking his supporters to vote for them, Mr. Mishra said.
The RJD chief had on Sunday dodged a question as to whether he had been invited to rallies to be addressed by the Gandhis. “Why are you asking questions that are confusing,” he had said.
