Question mark on RJD-JD(U) merger as Nitish skips meet

Putting a question mark on the 'Janata Parivar' merger, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today skipped a crucial meeting called to iron out the differences with RJD chief Lalu Prasad, who mooted the idea of roping in Jitan Ram Manjhi, a known Kumar detractor, in the anti-BJP alliance.
Kumar, who was in Delhi, sent JD(U) president Sharad Yadav for talks with Lalu and Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, who has been designated as the leader of the proposed entity after a formal merger of six 'Janata Parivar' outfits.
Kumar's aides said he had undergone a minor eye surgery and advised rest.

Lalu, who had yesterday suggested bringing in Manjhi in the 'grand alliance' to take take on BJP, today formally broached the idea at the meeting, sources close to the development, said.
Sources said Prasad, instead of focusing on a merger between RJD and JD(U), talked about forming a 'grand alliance' against BJP that would include all non-NDA parties, including the Left, something that would not go down well with Nitish Kumar.
Despite JD(U) yesterday deprecating any move to forge ties with Manjhi, who was ousted and replaced by Kumar after he refused to step down as Chief Minister, Lalu's insistence on his inclusion in the alliance is being seen as an attempt at procrastination.

Lalu, according to sources, was not keen on a merger and wanted the two parties go to the hustings as alliance partners, with his party getting a larger share of tickets to contest. Though the Nitish Kumar government is surviving on the RJD prop in Bihar, Lalu has consistently refused to project him as the future chief minister.
JD(U), on the other hand, wants Lalu to back Kumar as the chief ministerial face of the merged entity.