The Aam Aadmi Party and the Janata Dal (United) have decided to join hands in Parliament on issues concerning both the parties.
This emerged from discussions between Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal over lunch at the secretariat. The two parties have in the past come together to take on the BJP in the Delhi election and Narendra Modi in Varanasi.
“The Modi government will face “halla bol” in the upcoming budget session from the AAP with support from the Janata Dal (United) and regional parties over the issue of full statehood for Delhi,” senior JD(U) leader and Rajya Sabha MP K.C. Tyagi told TheHindu .
Although both the leaders are on the same page as far as the BJP is concerned, this may not result in an electoral tie-up in Bihar which goes to the polls later this year. It might, however, ensure that a resurgent AAP does not emerge as another thorn in JD(U)’s flesh, after Jitan Ram Manjhi broke away and threatens to take away a chunk of the crucial Mahadalit votes.
“Mr. Kejriwal said his party’s good wishes are with us and that AAP will coordinate with the Janata Pariwar on major issues in Parliament,” Mr. Tyagi said. The newly-formed AAP has four MPs in the Lok Sabha.
Mr. Kumar and Mr. Kejriwal had a 90-minute discussion on the overall political situation in the country. The Bihar Chief Minister was accompanied by Mr. Tyagi, while Mr. Kejriwal had Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia by his side.
Mr. Kumar also met Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and thanked her for her support during the political crisis in the State. He visited the Tihar jail to meet Indian National Lok Dal leader Om Prakash Chautala. The INLD is a part of the Janata Pariwar.
