Sonia Gandhi plays mediator; asks RJD-JD(U) to find a middle ground

After silently watching the events in Bihar from the sidelines for days, Congress President Sonia Gandhi finally intervened in the ongoing tug-of-war between the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Janata Dal (United).

She spoke to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and RJD chief Lalu Prasad over the phone on Friday and requested the stalwarts to "save the government at any cost" to keep the BJP "at bay". Heeding her advice, both sides have called a temporary ceasefire in the continuing war of words.

Confirming the development, Congress sources said Mrs Gandhi dialled Lalu and Nitish and made an emotional appeal to save the