The announcement of the merger of 6 parties to launch the new Janata Parivar
New Delhi: Sharad Yadav, Mulayam Singh Yadav, Lalu Prasad, Nitish Kumar, Abhay Chautala, and HD Deve Gowda held a press conference this evening to announce the formation of the new Janata Parivaar.
Here are the highlights of their interaction with the press:
SHARAD YADAV - JANATA DAL (UNITED):- We have decided to for a new party. Mulayam Singh Yadav will be the party chief
- Mulayam Singh Yadav will be the leader of the party in Parliament
HD DEVE GOWDA - JANATA DAL (SECULAR):
- The decision on Mulayam Singh Yadav was "unanimous".
LALU PRASAD - RASHTRIYA JANATA DAL:
- We have come together to defeat the designs of the communal forces.
- We will have to decide on the name later, we have decided on 'Netaji' as our leader.
- Our policy will be around defeating the BJP - Inka hawabazi hai, hawa nikal dengey tube se.
- Our aim is to combat the BJP, will travel across the country to spread this spread message.
- All eyes are towards Bihar today and I want to tell people that the Bihar is a very strong state.
NITISH KUMAR - JANATA DAL (UNITED):
- I congratulate Mulyam Singh Yadav. This party will give new direction to Indian politics.
- We have formed a committee of the chiefs of constituent parties to decide on all issues.
MULAYAM SINGH YADAV - SAMAJWADI PARTY:
- The country has many hurdles facing it and the government in Delhi is not ready to face them.
- This government never takes the Opposition parties into confidence.
- Tell me one new thing this BJP government has done.
- I told them if you have no results to show, at least tell us what efforts are being made (to fulfill the promises made before elections).
- I thank Deve Gowda who said that he'll support whatever decision was taken, I also want to mention Nitishji who supported this move.
- Even the people of India are happy at this merger.
- This government is very arrogant and we'll try to curb that arrogance.
- The government has been conspiring to create communal disharmony. We saw how their MPs, ministers spoke against minorities and no action was taken.
ABHAY CHAUTALA - INDIAN NATIONAL LOK DAL:
- This new party will fight for the people of the country.