Even as the deadlock continues between the Janata Dal (United) and the Rashtriya Janata Dal over a merger , JD(U) leader and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday met party leaders and legislators to take their views on the coming Assembly elections. In another development, cornered Rashtriya Janata Dal appealed to Congress president Sonia Gandhi to intervene and broker peace between them for an alliance.
It may be recalled that senior RJD leader Raghuvansh Prasad Singh openly refused to accept Mr Kumar as chief ministerial candidate of the alliance, and the Congress openly backed him as the CM face. On Wednesday, Mr. Kumar met with party MLAs and MPs of West Champaran, East Champaran and Bagaha in the first session. Later he held meetings with leaders of Madhubani, Darbhanga, Sitamarhi and Sheohar districts at his official residence.
“Yes, it’s a meeting for poll preparedness and it will continue till June 16,” JD(U) spokesperson Neeraj Kumar told The Hindu . According to party sources, Mr. Kumar asked party leaders about their views on going to polls without the RJD but with the Congress. “We told him he is our leader and whatever decision he will take, we all are with him,” a party legislator told The Hindu .
Meanwhile, with the Congress openly declaring to go with Mr. Kumar, an isolated RJD on Wednesday appealed to Ms. Gandhi to broker peace between the two parties for an alliance. “I would appeal to Congress president Sonia Gandhi to hammer out the differences between the two parties and broker peace between them for an alliance. She should intervene now for anti-BJP alliance in Bihar,” said RJD leader Mr. Raghuvansh Prasad Singh.
Later in the day, the RJD also sent an emissary Bhola Yadav to meet Mr. Kumar. “We’re still hopeful that everything will be resolved,” Mr. Bhola Yadav said after meeting.
Pappu meets Shahabuddin
In another development, expelled RJD MP and leader of Jankranti Adhikar Morcha, Pappu Yadav, met former RJD MP and Siwan strongman Mohd. Shahabuddin in the Siwan jail and discussed the current political situation.
Bihar Chief Minister meets party legislators on alliance
