Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on his return from Delhi on Monday said that the merger of the six Janata Parivar parties will be formally announced very soon by Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav. “Everything has been finalised and Yadav will shortly call a formal meeting of the leaders of all the constituents and make an announcement,” said Nitish.
The Bihar CM had called on Yadav in Delhi on Sunday and held detailed discussion on the formalities of the merger. The former UP CM has been authorised by all the constituents to make the announcement. Welcoming the decision of RJD supremo lalu Prasad who announced merger of his party at its national executive meeting here on Sunday, Nitish said it was a positive step by lalu. There had been misgivings among the party men and the media that there was opposition within in the RJD over the merger. Nitish denied that there was any political compulsion or pressure for the merger.
Asked about such announcement from JD(U) as made by the RJD, Nitish said, “We have already decided in principle for the merger and all the technicalities will be completed.” He said he was confident that Yadav will shortly call a meeting. “The meeting will not take much time,” he said when asked if it would be held within a month.
Refusing to reveal the date of the meeting and other formalities like name of the party and symbol, he said everything will be announced by the SP chief. “The blueprint of the merger and other technicalities is ready,” he added.
Nitish is holding a meeting with JD(U) legislators on Wednesday which will be followed by a meeting of party's national executive to endorse the merger plan. Apparently no reservation has been shown by any JD(U) legislator on merger as all those opposing it have been suspended and they are now siding with former CM Jitan Ram Manjhi.