RJD to contest Maharashtra assembly elections

Mumbai, Jul 12 (UNI) The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), led by Railway Minister Lalu Prasad, has decided to contest the assembly elections due next year.

Speaking to newspersons here today, RJD general secretary and spokesperson Shaam Rajkaji said the party chief had decided to contest the elections in the state and the number of constituencies and the alliance would be decided in due course of time.

''RJD contesting the assembly elections in Maharashtra has been finalised and since we are with the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) at the Centre, we will decide the constituencies and alliance partners later,'' he said.

The RJD spokesperson said ''They were still in process of observing all the constituencies and receiving feedback about prospective constituencies.'' Mr Rajkaji said RJD president and former Bihar chief minister Lalu Prasad will conduct a 'Chhat Puja' in Mumbai for religious reasons and won't create any problems for the people of Mumbai.

It may be recalled that Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray had earlier dared Mr Prasad from hosting the festival at Shivaji Park in Central Mumbai, saying the puja was generally conducted on the banks of the River Ganga and at other river banks or ponds.

UNI JN SSS SK NS1828