Janata 'Parivar' leaders pay homage to Devi Lal

NEW DELHI: Leaders of off-shoot outfits of Janata Parivar, which are tipped for a merger, came together here today to pay homage to former deputy prime minister Devi Lal, a preeminent leader of the grouping and Lok Dal founder, on his death anniversary.

Samajwadi Party president Mulayam Singh Yadav, JD(U) president Sharad Yadav, Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar and INLD leader and grandson of Devi Lal, Ajay Chautala paid their tributes to the former Haryana chief minister and noted Jat leader, according to a statement from Bihar government.

RJD president Lalu Yadav, whose party is also part of the group, was not present but he had announced yesterday that the "merger" had happened and Mulayam Singh Yadav would make a formal announcement soon.

"As far as Janata Parivar are concerned, their merger has happened and SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav will formally announce it because he has been authorised for it," he had told reporters in Patna.

"Merger means merger. There should be no doubts about it. Only one symbol and no other shall remain because different symbols will create confusion among the public. We will also ask other secular parties to join the new party to combat communalism," the former Bihar chief minister had said.