This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.

Lalu Backs Nitish As CM In Electoral Showdown Against BJP

Lalu Backs Nitish As CM In Electoral Showdown Against BJP
(L-R) Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, Nitish Kumar, chief minister of Bihar, Sharad Yadav of the Janata Dal (United) party, Lalu Prasad Yadav of Rashtriya Janata Dal party pose for photographers ahead of a press conference in New Delhi on April 15, 2015. Six Indian left-leaning and regional political parties vowed to work together to take on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party ahead of key Bihar state elections scheduled later in the year. AFP PHOTO / SAJJAD HUSSAIN (Photo credit should read SAJJAD HUSSAIN/AFP/Getty Images)
SAJJAD HUSSAIN via Getty Images
(L-R) Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, Nitish Kumar, chief minister of Bihar, Sharad Yadav of the Janata Dal (United) party, Lalu Prasad Yadav of Rashtriya Janata Dal party pose for photographers ahead of a press conference in New Delhi on April 15, 2015. Six Indian left-leaning and regional political parties vowed to work together to take on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party ahead of key Bihar state elections scheduled later in the year. AFP PHOTO / SAJJAD HUSSAIN (Photo credit should read SAJJAD HUSSAIN/AFP/Getty Images)

After confirming that their parties will form an alliance in the Bihar state elections, the Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad Yadav has backed Nitish Kumar, head of the Janata Dal (United), as the chief ministerial candidate for the electoral showdown with the Bharatiya Janata Party, later this year.

“No differences with Nitish. There is no contender for the chief minister’s post from my family and party," the RJD chief said, PTI reported on Monday.

In April 2015, the JD(U), RJD, Samajwadi Party, Janata Dal (Secular), Indian National Lok Dal and the Samajwadi Janata Party formed the Janata Party in order to gain 30 MPs in the Rajya Sabha and 15 in Lok Sabha.

Nitish Kumar will be chief ministerial candidate of JD(U)-RJD alliance, Lalu Prasad had proposed his name: Mulayam Singh Yadav.

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 8, 2015

On Sunday, leaders of the two parties decided that a six-member panel, three members from each party, would discuss seat-sharing.

"I know how communal forces work and we saw the need of the hour. Our hearts have come together, will sort out seats too," the RJD chief told the media. "The whole country has its eyes on the elections in Bihar. Nitish Kumar is our chief ministerial candidate."

Contact HuffPost India

Close
This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.