Leaders of Mahagathbandhan in Bihar hold first meeting since LS poll debacle

Leaders of the opposition 'Mahagathbandhan' in Bihar, the multi-party formation which suffered virtual obliteration in the Lok Sabha election, on Tuesday held a meeting here in an apparent bid to pick up the threads in the state where assembly polls are due next year.

The grand alliance that derives its name from the formation that met with spectacular success in the 2015 assembly polls but came apart following Chief Minister and JD(U) national president Nitish Kumar's return to the NDA two years later, now comprises original constituents the Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Congress, besides newer entrants Rashtriya Lok Samata Party, Hindustani Awam Morcha and the Vikassheel Insaan Party.

The meeting was held at the residence of RJD national vice president and former chief minister Rabri Devi where his son and heir apparent Tejashwi Yadav, state unit chief Ram Chandra Purve and veteran leader Jagadanand Singh were among those present.

The Congress was represented by its national secretary in-charge for Bihar Virendra Rathore and state unit president Madan Mohan Jha, while Upendra Kushwaha, Jitan Ram Manjhi and Mukesh Sahni founders of RLSP HAM and VIP respectively were also present at the meeting.

In a statement issued by the Mahagathbandhan thereafter, the leaders said, "The coalition of RJD, Congress, RLSP, HAM and VIP was not just for elections. The alliance understands its responsibility towards poor, Dalits, backwards and other deprived classes for whom the governments at the Centre and in the state seem to have least concern."