Congress, Left and NCP join hands in Bikramganj byelection

Patna, Dec 18 (UNI) The Left parties, Congress and NCP today lent support to the RJD to ensure victory of its candidate Ashok Kumar Kushwaha by preventing the split of secular votes in the December 29 byelection to Bikramganj Lok Sabha seat.

The bypoll was necessitated following the death of JD(U) MP Ajeet Singh, killed in a road accident near Siwan in Bihar a few months ago.

The Congress, Left and NCP announced their support to the RJD at a joint press conference at the state RJD office, attended by representatives of all concerned political parties.

Flanked by state secretary of CPI Badri Narain Lall, chief spokesman of Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee(BPCC) H K Verma and NCP leader Ram Bihari Singh, state RJD president Abdul Bari Siddiqui claimed that Mr Kushwaha would emerge victorious as secular votes were all set to consolidate in favour of the party.

Mr Siddiqui clarified that though the LJP representative was not present at the press conference, its president had assured of support to the RJD candidate in the hustings.

To a query, he took light of the presence of the BSP candiadte in the fray, stating it was not a force to reckon with in Bikramganj.

State secretary of CPI Badri Narain Lal said the CPI(M) had also agreed to support the RJD candidate to check the split of secular votes and ensure the defeat of the NDA nominee.

UNI