Patna/New Delhi: RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav sprang a surprise a day ahead of his meeting with JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar and Samajwadi boss Mulayam Singh Yadav in New Delhi on Friday by inviting former Bihar CM Jitan Ram Manjhi to join the Janata Parivar in order to present a united front against the BJP in the coming state elections.
Mr Yadav’s move to rope in Mr Manjhi, a known detractor of Mr Kumar, instead of trying to clear the air about problems over leadership and seat-sharing, caused considerable disquiet in JD(U) circles.
Before leaving for New Delhi, Mr Lalu Yadav said: “Any party capable of posing a threat to the BJP may join the Janata Parivar, and we will try to rope in Mr Manjhi.”
His move is seen as a ploy to stop Mr Manjhi from joining the BJP ahead of the Assembly elections, likely to be held in September-October. Mr Manjhi had earlier given indications that his Hindustani Awam Morcha may forge an alliance with the BJP after the elections.
