LS 2014: Congress-RJD tie-up in Bihar looks bright as Lalu Prasad meets Sonia Gandhi

NEW DELHI: The prospects of a Congress-Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) tie-up in Bihar have became brighter with RJD chief Lalu Prasad meeting Congress chief Sonia Gandhi in Delhi on Tuesday. “I met the Congress president and will be meeting her again to discuss the details of an alliance in Bihar,” Yadav said as he emerged from Gandhi’s residence.

Although the Congress did not issue any statement, the fact that Yadav was granted an audience after he cooled his heels in the capital for more than 10 days suggested that the talks between the two parties had progressed.

“The meeting was very exploratory and will help dispel rumours that the Congress will be going with Nitish Kumar. It is now certain that we will have an alliance, the number of seats etc will need to be decided. A secular front combining the Congress and RJD will be an important formation in Bihar,” a senior RJD leader said.

In 2009, the Congress had gone it alone in Bihar and UP after failing to strike a deal with both the RJD and the SP.

Ahead of the 2014 polls, however, the RJD is not in a position to bargain due to Yadav’s conviction in the fodder scam and the twin challenges of an independent BJP and CM Nitish Kumar.

Prasad’s old ally, Lok Janshakti Party leader Ram Vilas Paswan seems to be veering towards Nitish Kumar.