Rahul brought Nitish and Lalu together: RPN Singh

Q&A with former MoS, Ministry of Home Affairs

The Grand Alliance is all set to form government in Bihar. The Congress Party, which is the junior partner in the alliance, will also better its mark of four seats in the last state election polls. The party spokesperson, RPN Singh spoke to Kavita Chowdhury. Edited excerpts:

What worked for the Grand Alliance?

The fact that we fought on core issues of plurality, of diversity and communal harmony. The hollow speeches of Narendra Modi and his false promises have been exposed.  Writers, intellectuals, liberals all highlighted  that intolerance has been identified with the BJP and now the elections have validated us.

Have the Congress wins surprised the party itself, especially in a state where Congress had been wiped out?

We were expecting 18 to 21 seats, even when others wrote us of. Undoubtedly the Congress still has to work hard but we have seen through these elections that communalism and divisive politics of the BJP does not work.

Does it mean a validation of Rahul Gandhi's leadership, after all he brought the two arch enemies Lalu Prasad and Nitish Kumar together.

Ofcourse, it was Rahul Gandhi who backed this idea and the team. Everything said, Bihar has won, India has won.

Does it spell resurgence for the beleaguered Congress?

It has given us fresh vigour and we will working with Nitish Kumar ji to make this government work. I just want to ask the BJP will they be calling this a "manufactured verdict"?