JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav, who has opposed party president and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s decision to rejoin the NDA, declared on Sunday that a national level grand alliance will be formed to take on the BJP in the next Lok Sabha elections as “the country today is passing through a dangerous phase.”
Mr. Yadav was speaking at the massive BJP bhagao, Desh bachao (oust BJP, save country) rally at the Gandhi Maidan here, organised by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). Leaders of over 20 political parties joined RJD supremo Lalu Prasad on the stage to attack the ruling BJP at the centre and its alliance partner in Bihar, the JD(U) and appealed to the crowds to oust them from power in 2019.
“It was to oppose communal forces…fascist forces [that] I supported Nitish Kumar as Chief Minister, though I knew him well that he is not a trustworthy person but the situation demanded so…and see how overnight he did a turnaround and solemnized his marriage with the BJP in hours,” said Mr Prasad in his half-hour scathing attack. He added, “Now no political party would trust Nitish Kumar...this was his last palti (somersault)”.
“Now Nitish will not come to power, but Lalu will,” asserted Mr. Prasad.
The RJD chief also attacked BJP and said he would not be cowed down with their pressure tactics. “ Phansi per latak jayenge par BJP se samjhauta nahi karenge..hum jhukane wale nahi hai (will be hanged but not compromise with the BJP…I’ll not be cowed down),” he said.
Mr. Sharad Yadav also attacked the BJP and said, “Here on this stage a grand alliance has been made…earlier attempts were made in Delhi but it was not successful…here, at this stage in Patna it has been formed.”
Mamata flags Panchkula
Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, “They [BJP] can only spread violence but cannot control one as was evident recently in Panchkula”.
“It is a government at the Centre of the agencies, by the agencies and for the agencies…they use agencies to terrorise people whoever dares to speak against them,” said Ms. Bannerjee. She also declared that “like nasbandi (sterilisation) had cost Indira Gandhi’s government, this notebandi (demonetisation) will remove BJP from power.”
