After Modi-Paswan deal, Lalu joins hands with Sonia ahead of LS poll

New Delhi, March 4: After Narendra Modi-Ram Vilas Paswan deal,

chief

on Tuesday, March 4 joined hands with

President Sonia Gandhi. Ahead of the Lok Sabha election, which is due by May 2014, RJD strengthened UPA in

.

According to media reports, Lalu Prasad Yadav's party promised gave 13 seats to Congress, 1 seat to NCP in Bihar for the upcoming general election.

The Congress election committee met at Sonia Gandhi's residence and decided on the alliance. On Monday, Congress sources indicated that talks with Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal United (JDU), rival party of RJD, were still on.

Sources also indicated that Congress is hesitant to give up Madhubani and Motihari seats as they are demanded by Lalu Prasad Yadav. Also, there are reports indicating that the BJP is also trying to rope in JDU to their camp.

As part of that, on Monday, BJP leader Arun Jaitley supported Bihar Chief Minister and JDU chief Nitish Kumar's demand for a special category status for the state.

"Several states in the east have not economically progressed in comparison to the others. Such states aspire to get a special category status which will ensure higher central revenues and grants," Jaitley wrote in his blog. The special status state issue has created rift between Congress and JDU.

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