Lalu lobs merger ball in Mulayam's court

RJD President Lalu Prasad today lobbed the Janata Parivar merger ball in Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav's court saying he was looking into it.
"He (Mulayam Singh Yadav) is taking care of it," Lalu told PTI at a feast hosted by him for the second day today.
He tried to allay apprehension that the merger efforts have hit a roadblock as claimed by BJP and said, "The merger process is going on."
"BJP is spreading rumours about problems in merger. The process is on. We have authorised Mulayam Singh Yadav for it. He is not sitting idle. He is taking care of it," Lalu said.

Asked about why he was not forthcoming in announcing the merger, he said, "The announcement will be done by Mulayam Singh Yadav in New Delhi. He is the authorised person."
With regard to further talks between representatives of six parties - JD (U), RJD, SP, Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), Janata Dal (Secular) and Samajwadi Janata Party (SJP) - Lalu said, "Yadav will tell when the meeting is scheduled and will also decide on a name of the new party."

The RJD supremo also said he had no idea as to who started the talks about merger between JD(U) and RJD prior to the merger of all parties.

The fate of the merger became a talking point when despite the presence of JD(U) national President Sharad Yadav, INLD leader Abhay Chautala and representatives of other Janata Parivar constituents, Prasad did not make any announcement on the proposed merger at his Sankranti feast yesterday.
The absence of senior JD(U) leader and former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar reportedly due to fever had also fanned the speculation.
"All our (Janata Parivar) parties are discussing merger, but the BJP is trying to create rift among us and take advantage of the ensuing circumstances. This is what the BJP has done in all other states where elections have happened recently," Lalu said.