RJD chief Lalu Prasad with JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar after Grand Alliance's victory in Bihar assembly elections. (Press Trust of India photo)
Fresh from its stunning success in Bihar assembly election, JD(U) today said it would return the compliment by supporting West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in her fight against BJP and along with Aam Aadmi Party and Trinamool Congress would fight for strengthening cooperative federalism.
JD(U) secretary general KC Tyagi said that Ms Banerjee and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had a telephonic talk during which the West Bengal chief minister congratulated Mr Kumar who thanked her for support.
Ms Banerjee had in a tweet asked Bihar voters to support Mr Nitish Kumar ahead of the third phase of poll in Bihar.
"JD(U), TMC and AAP are on the same page on various issues. We all feel the need to strengthen cooperative federalism in the country. Apart from strengthening federal structure, we will also raise the issue of the role of the Centre-appointed Governors in states. We will work in close coordination in our fight against BJP," Mr Tyagi told PTI.
Mr Tyagi also said that JD(U) "will support TMC and Mamata Banerjee in next year's Assembly polls in Bengal."
Asked why it would not support the Left in Bengal, Mr Tyagi said "the Left didn't support us in our fight against BJP. Irrespective of our pleas to fight unitedly, they fought separately. They don't need our support," he said.
Ms Banerjee had yesterday congratulated Mr Nitish Kumar through twitter and termed the victory of Grand Alliance in Bihar as a defeat of "intolerance".