Lalu denies rift with Nitish Kumar; reminds Nitish, I saved JD(U) govt twice

Patna, May 28: Clearing the air on merger of Janata Parivar or JD(U) and RJD, Lalu Prasad on Wednesday said a decision would be taken on "merger or adjustment" soon.

Prasad also rubbished reports that talks got stuck on projecting Nitish Kumar as chief ministerial candidate.

Accepting that the exercise was not easy which could be solved "with chu mantar", Prasad told reporters that considering the fact that not much time was left for

poll he, Nitish Kumar and others would soon sit to reach to a decision whether to go for merger or adjustment after assessing all aspects and situation.

"Merger or adjustment we will decided after assessing all aspects and situation like safeguarding respective party symbol...it's not a big issue... hamara maan saf rahna chahiye (our soul shall be clean)," Prasad said on arrival from Delhi.

Asked that media reports suggested that the last meeting on merger at Mulayam Singh Yadav residence in Delhi last week got stuck on the issue of projecting Nitish Kumar as chief ministerial candidate on which he was hesitant, the RJD chief rubbished them as "mischievous rumours spread by BJP and RSS to foil their coming together."

Prasad said neither JD(U) nor Nitish Kumar ever put CM candidature condition before him or other leaders.

"We will take a decision on these issues at an appropriate time," the RJD chief said "the bigger issue is to defeat BJP and not who will be CM or occupy what post".

"Had I have any baimani (bad intention) twice I had the chance to ditch Nitish Kumar first in bypoll to two Rajya Sabha seats and later confidence motion sought by Jitan Ram Manjhi. But, RJD stood with JD(U) and is still supporting its government in Bihar," he said to drive home the point.

Asked about delay in reaching a decision about merger or alliance or seat sharing, Prasad said there are so many issues which needs to be sorted out.

OneIndia News

(With inputs from agencies)