Open for tie-up with BJP, allies: Narendra Singh

Former Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi led Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) is open for a tie-up with BJP and its allies in the next Bihar Assembly elections, former state agriculture minister and JD(U) rebel Narendra Singh today said.
"We may tie-up with BJP or its allies Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) or Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP) in the Assembly
polls. The party has to match our wavelength. But, one thing is for sure, we will not align with Nitish Kumar, Lalu Prasad or their parties JD(U) and RJD respectively," Singh said.
The former agriculture minister, considered close to Manjhi said HAM would announce the formation of a new political party in Bihar after its rally in the state capital on April 20.

Singh emphasised there could be a tie-up with BJP even in the post-Assembly poll scenario to help each other in government formation.
Asked about overtures by a few legislators associated with HAM to BJP and JD(U), he said "they are free to pursue whatever course they deem fit. They are completely independent to join BJP or go back to JD(U)."

Taking potshots at Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for his comments about the impending merger of Janata Parivar parties, Singh said "such a merger will be an opportunist compromise between the parties and chances of its happening are very remote."
He alleged Kumar was now trying to hobnob with Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his own interests.

"He (Kumar) despised Modi till yesterday, but is now trying to revive his previous relationship with BJP just to protect his chair. He revels in such things. Earlier, he allied with RJD and Lalu Prasad, against whom he had fought for 15 years," Singh said.
Demanding necessary modification in the Land Acquisition Bill brought by the Centre, Singh said if it was passed in its present form, it would lead to private sector firms and multi-national companies taking over agricultural land.
Singh asked the Centre to extend the deadline for paddy procurement till April 30 in Bihar, as the state government has not been able to meet its target.