Merger or not, prepare for polls: Nitish Kumar

PATNA: With the merger of the Janata Parivaar constituents running into rough weather and taking longer than expected, both senior JD(U) member Nitish Kumar and RJD chief Lalu Prasad are charting separate course of action to strengthen their respective outfits. Kumar yesterday exhorted his party workers to roll up their sleeves for the assembly elections in Bihar, without bothering about “merger or no merger“.

Kumar made it clear at two separate meetings with JD(U) MLAs, MLCs and heads of various state commissions in Patna that the merger will take “its own time“. Unveiling the road map for the JD(U), he said: “Don't worry about that (merger). Get ready for the elections and prepare for the party's political conclave, which will be held at Gandhi Maidan in Patna on February 15."

Nitish's clarion call to his party workers for the February 15 event can also be inter preted as an attempt to outsmart RJD. Just a day ago, Lalu Prasad had announced that his party would spearhead a campaign from March 1 against the “failures“ of Narendra Modi government at the Centre.

“Sadhu ka koi jamaat nahin hota. Hum chal padenge, jise pichhe aana hoga, ayega (Saints don't have groups. Let others join us if they so wish),“ Lalu had said on Wednesday while announcing RJD's campaign. The RJD chief also announced a pro test march in Patna on March 15 against the central government and added that black money would be a big issue.

JD(U) wants to showcase the February 15 meet, ahead of Lalu's event, as a show of strength and party functionaries were accordingly briefed during the meetings at Kumar's residence yesterday. JD(U) spokesperson Ajay Alok said at least 1.5 lakh booth-level party workers would attend the political enclave. “We are already in election mode and the organization oiling will be complete before our introspection meet on February 15,“ he said.

Meanwhile, in what can be interpreted as a pressure tactic, Lalu on Thursday said Kumar should settle the controversy regarding the continuance of Jeetan Ram Manjhi as chief minister.“Nitish is busy holding party workers' meetings. He should also settle the Manjhi controversy ,“ Prasad said, adding only Kumar should decide what to do with Manjhi as it was he who had installed him as CM.