Sharad meets J-K CM over lunch in Jammu

Janata Dal (U) President Sharad Yadav today met Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, his former Janata Dal colleague who is now in alliance with BJP, over lunch here.
The meeting between the two leaders, who were ministers in the then Janata Dal government in 1989, is significant which came amid a unification move by splinter groups of Janata Parivar.
Yadav flew to Jammu from New Delhi this afternoon and later was driven to the official residence of the chief minister.
"It was a luncheon meeting with Sayeed. I have a 20-25 years long relationship with Sayeed," Yadav told PTI.

Asserting that the meeting does not have any political motive, Yadav said that Sayeed had invited him in Delhi for dinner but he could not find time due to Parliament session. so he preferred to come here and meet him over lunch.
"He was in our party. Later it fragmented into several parties," Yadav added.

When asked about Janata Parivar merger, he said "we have tried to bring all of them together. It is difficult. How long will it be united, do-not know. But only motive to fight and destroy BJP".
Yadav discussed with Sayeed various issues including over prevailing political situation across the country.

The Janata Dal (U) leader will be leaving here tomorrow.
JD(U) is among the six parties which merged on April 15 to form a new party whose name and symbol have not been been finalised yet.
"Janata Parivar" has little base in J-K but its leadership is looking to align with regional parties across the country to constitute a strong anti-BJP bloc.
The ruling parties in UP and Bihar, Samajwadi Party and JD(U), besides RJD, INLD, JD(S) and Samajwadi Janata Party had merged at a meeting at the residence of SP President Mulayam Singh Yadav, who has been chosen to head the new outfit.