Lalu, Nitish join hands in Hajipur to counter BJP in Bihar

Sharing a dais for the first time since 1991, Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and Janata Dal-United leader Nitish Kumar joined hands to campaign together for the upcoming by-elections, to be held in ten constituencies in the state.

Also joining them will be the Congress, as this new JD(U)-RJD-Congress alliance seeks to defeat the BJP.

Stating that this joint rally would end speculation on whether he and Lalu Prasad would join hands or not, Nitish Kumar slammed the BJP promise of "ache din" (good days) and stated that the people were still waiting for them. He also said that the good days haven't come, except for a few members of the BJP.

Kumar said, "Inflation and corruption shows no sign of abating under the BJP. They are only interested in staying in power, and are willing to divide our country in order to do so. In order to save our country, we must forget our old differences and join hands," adding that he felt that the ancestors of those in power in Delhi didn't spend a day in jail for the country.

Stating that he and Nitish Kumar were "from the same family", Lalu Prasad said, "We had grown apart, but if we keep holding grudges and take our differences to heart, then the country will go into the wrong hands. Since Modi came to power, inauspicious things have happened in the nation. Our alliance will send a good message to everyone," adding that he was appealing to Mulayam Singh Yadav and Mayawati to enter a "maha-alliance" too.

Lalu also said people who said that Nitish Kumar went to his "big brother" Lalu Yadav for help were absolutely correct. "Who else will he come to?" he questioned.