The bonhomie among partners in a new political alliance in Bihar was visible at an Iftar reception hosted by Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Sunday, where she shared the table with RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and JD(U) president Sharad Yadav.
The RJD, JD(U) and the Congress have decided to contest in alliance the by-elections to the State Assembly on August 21 for 10 seats.
The seat-sharing formula is under discussion and a formal announcement of the alliance is likely to be made by July 30.
Mr. Yadav and former Bihar chief minister and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar were severely critical of each other during the Lok Sabha campaign, a point the Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday raked up.
“This is highly opportunistic alliance and the people of Bihar will see through it,” said former deputy chief minister of Bihar, Sushil Kumar Modi.
