Janata Parivar's unity bid great political drama, says BJP

PATNA: The BJP today described the erstwhile Janata Parivar's unity bid as "the great political drama" which would not have any impact on the political turf of Bihar which goes to Assembly polls late next year.

"The broad consensus arrived at by the constituents of the erstwhile Janata Parivar to merge under one umbrella is nothing but "the great political drama aimed at hoodwinking the people, particularly in Bihar which goes to Assembly polls next year," senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi said.

The merger bid by these parties would have no effect in Bihar Assembly polls as people have understood the "opportunistic" designs of JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar and RJD supremo Lalu Prasad to keep themselves afloat in politics by hook or crook, Modi said in a statement.

In a move to consolidate opposition forces, six constituents of the erstwhile 'Janata Parivar' -- SP, Janata Dal (Secular), Rashtriya Janata Dal, Janata Dal (United), Indian National Lok Dal and Samajwadi Janata Party -- met in Delhi yesterday and agreed for a merger.

Modi slammed Nitish Kumar for "compromising ideology" by joining hands with the RJD to save the JD(U) government "and whatever credibility was left in him ended in smoke with this latest bid to bring together the erstwhile members of Janata Parivar with the sole objective to stay relevant in Bihar politics".

Kumar's political career seems to have come full circle as he would be seen campaigning in Assembly polls with Prasad whom he had attacked for throwing Bihar in dark age during the RJD's 15 years' rule and led the NDA's victory in 2005 Assembly polls, the former deputy chief minister said.

Charging Kumar with betraying the mandate of the people of Bihar by breaking away from the NDA last year and falling back on RJD, Modi claimed Kumar's credibility has eroded forever after making one compromise after another "for the sake of power".