Even as leaders of JD(U) and RJD were going gaga over the stepped-up process Janata Parivar’s merger, the BJP leaders criticised the efforts of Nitish Kumar and lalu Prasad.
Meanwhile, as former deputy CM and BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi termed the merger process Birbal ki kichhdi which would never be cooked, RJD leader Abdul Bari Siddiqui said the party’s remarks are a sign of its fear over the merger of secular forces.
Bihar Ministers Vijay Kuamr Chaudhary, Rajiv Ranjan Singh lalan, Shrawan Kumar and Shyam Rajak hailed the merger of the six parties under Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav. "This is going to be a strong political force to take on the communalists," said Chaudhary, while lalan added, "The dreams of BJP to come to power have dashed." Siddiqui said the merger would bring halt to the BJP's marching spree.
Modi however, said the merger would not be a reality in Bihar. "The leaders attempting for merger had made their parties as private limited and it will not be easy for them to make it public limited," said Modi and added that only one sword can fit in one sheath but here attempts are being made to keep swords in one sheath.
"If they think their sins would be washed with the merger they are at fault. People are not going to forgive and forget the days of jungle raj. They will fell flat in the election," commented Modi.
Union Minister Giriraj Singh said, "This Maha Vilay (merger) will ultimately prove a Maha parlay (disaster)." Similar sentiments were expressed by former CM Jitan Ram Manjhi. He said all powers have been entrusted to Mulayam and since lalu has relationship with him he will also enjoy power, but where will Nitish be. He will be eliminated, he added.