Sharad Yadav-led Loktantrik Janata Dal (LJD) merged with Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) of Lalu Prasad Yadav, on Sunday, in what both sides called as "first step towards the opposition unity." The merger marks the coming together of the two leaders after a gap of 25 years.
"Merger of our party with RJD is first step towards opposition unity. It is imperative that whole opposition gets united across India to defeat the BJP. As of now, unification is our priority; only after that we would think about who will lead the united opposition," Sharad Yadav said.
Heaping praises on RJD leader and Bihar’s leader of opposition Tejashwi Yadav, Sharad Yadav said, "Today we need young people. RJD is your party, you have to strengthen it. Strengthen his hands. I cannot be active like before. But I will do my best to strengthen him. We will talk to Akhilesh to strengthen our fight."
"The decision (merger) taken by Sharad Yadav was the demand of the people. It has given a message to other opposition parties that it is high time, we should have united in 2019, but better late than never," said Tejashwi.
He said it is possible to oust communal forces if socialist forces join hands. "Demands are being raised to disenfranchise the minorities. We will never let that happen.”
RJD chief Lalu Prasad had quit Janata Dal in 1997 to form his own party over his differences with its leadership as the probe against fodder scam, in which he was a main accused, gathered pace. Sharad Yadav was then seen as his rival within the Janata Dal, and he later joined with Kumar to end RJD's 15-year reign in Bihar in 2005.
On Wednesday, announcing the decision of merger, Sharad Yadav had said the move "has been necessitated as an initiative of my regular efforts for bringing together scattered Janata parivar in view of the current political situation in the country."
—With PTI inputs
