File Photo: Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan
Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan on Sunday said there would be neither merger of the Janata Parivar nor alliance between JD(U) and RJD for the upcoming Assembly elections in Bihar.
"Forget the much touted merger of Janata Parivar parties, which has failed. There won't even be any alliance between JD (U) and RJD for the coming Bihar Assembly elections. One thing is for sure that there will be a severe 'latthabazi' (stick fight) between the two parties by the time the polls approach," the Union Food and Public Distribution Minister told PTI.
The Union Minister was in Patna while on his way to inspect development works at Akbarpur Malahi village adopted by him in his Hajipur Lok Sabha constituency.
Attacking Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and RJD chief Lalu Prasad, he said that they should reveal who was responsible for the failure of merger efforts of Janata Parivar, and why they were not sharing the dais at political programmes.
Mr Paswan was hinting at the 'Nishad Maharally' organised in the state capital yesterday. Kumar had not attended it citing eye surgery though Prasad and JD (U) national President Sharad Yadav were present there.
The LJP leader also took potshots at Kumar for not staying at the Chief Minister's official residence at 1, Anney Marg and said it was out of the "fear of getting defeated" in the forthcoming state Assembly polls.
"Kumar is not staying at the CM House in Patna due to the fear of getting defeated in the Bihar elections. He is afraid that he will have to vacate it if he loses in the polls. So he is still residing at 7, Circular Road residence allotted to him as a former Chief Minister," he said.
Asked about former Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi's overtures and BJP President Amit Shah's indication that there was some scope of alliance with him, Mr Paswan said the issue had been left to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for decision and LJP would abide it.