The proposed merger of the erstwhile Janata Parivar constituents is moving on the right track and a concrete decision is expected soon, says Janata Dal (United) president Sharad Yadav, the man behind the grand unity agenda. In an interview to The Pioneer, Sharad said he was in touch with all key stakeholders and it was question of time when the five parties — JD(U), RJD, Samajwadi Party, INlD , and JD (S) — would come under one umbrella.
On Friday, Sharad Yadav, SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, RJD chief lalu, and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar held a meeting in Delhi to settle the merger issue. Sharad Yadav was confident after the meeting that the merger was only a question of formality now. “I don’t want to give any timeframe, but I can assure that the merger process is moving in the right direction and it is a matter of time,” Sharad said.
When pressed for a tentative timeframe, the JD(U) chief said the merger of so many parties is a complex issue and several important aspects have to be addressed. However, he indicated that the processing was nearing the final stage and would soon culminate in a “grand merger.”
“No one among us has two views on the merger. We all are aware that the we need to come together to take on the BJP, which is out to compromise the interest of farmers and the poor. We have been part of one family, and we are going to be together soon…very soon,” he asserted.
Sharad said once the leaders of the five parties have settled on the organisational structure and other related issue, their party’s national executive or council will pass the required resolution for the merger.
Refuting reports of differences between Nitish and lalu Prasad over the merger, Yadav said both the leaders were at his place on last Thursday evening together. “Of course, there are some elements who are trying to create confusion and delay the process, but other than creating spicy media reports they cannot do anything.
Sharad said the merger was not political necessity alone, but was driven by the common concern for the nation. “ Once we are together, we can effectively mobilize the masses to protest against Modi’s Government anti-poor, anti-farmer measures.
Yadav said that the merger will see the emergence of new politician force in the country and give a ray of hope to the people committed to secular ethos and the poor. “ I know some people are making light of our efforts at opposition unity,. But it is going to gallvanise the masses who are feeling badly let down by the Modi government,” he said.
Sources said Mulayam Singh Yadav, who is tipped to be the chairman of the new party, will shortly convene a meeting of all constituents of the erstwhile Janata Parivar. On Saturday, Nitish Kumar also said that the merger of the Janata Parivar would take very soon, adding that Mulayam Singh Yadav would hold talks with JD (S) national president HD Deve Gowda and INlD chief Om Prakash Chautala in this regard.
“I met Mulayam Singh Yadav ji on 26th night. On 27th, lalu ji, Sharad ji and I sat with Mulayam Singh ji and had elaborate discussions. A merger is on the way,” Kumar said. “Mulayam Singh ji has to talk to Deve Gowda ji and Chautala ji and very soon a date will be fixed for a meeting on the matter,” he added.
The Bihar Chief Minister had earlier on Friday, met the INlD chief, who is lodged in Tihar jail after being convicted for a scandal in the recruitment of teachers in Haryana during his chief ministership.