Patna ∙ Ahead of the reunification of the socialist parties, the merger of RJD and Janata Dal (U) parties. Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has launched a series of moves for the merger of parties with socialist traditions in the states of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.
Nitish’s strategy is to merge with RJD to counter BJP’s moves to split the Janata Dal (U). Sources in the JDU indicate that the initial talks for the merger with the RJD leadership have taken place. The leadership believes that the formation of the RJD-JDU government has instilled enthusiasm in the ranks of both the parties and the parties are ready for a merger. In the RJD National Council meeting, a resolution was passed giving party president Lalu Yadav the power to change the party’s flag and name, which is believed to pave the way for the merger.
Nitish is attempting to step into national politics as the leader of the Samyukta Janata Party by handing over the post of Chief Minister of Bihar to Tejashwi Yadav. UP’s Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav and Haryana’s INLD leader Om Prakash Chautala are in favor of Nitish’s plan to reunify socialist parties. Akhilesh and Chautala are ready to accept Nitish’s leadership.
Nitish also reckons that if the Janata Parivar parties across the country can be united, it will become a stronger opposition party than the Congress. It is hoped that the broad Janata Parivar will have the strength to bargain with the Congress for the post of prime minister in the opposition unity talks. Nitish’s position is that Congress, Janata Parivar parties and Left parties should stand together if they want to challenge the BJP.
English Summary: Discussions on RJD-JDU merge
