Get ready for 'grand alliance' at the centre: Lalu on birthday

Lalu Prasad Yadav turned 70 today. Photo: PTI (File)

NEW DELHI: A 'grand alliance' at the centre was RJD leader Lalu Prasad's birthday wish today as greetings poured in for the former Bihar chief minister. "Delhi will now see the leadership of mahagathbandhan. All coalition partners should start preparations," Prasad tweeted after Bihar Congress chief and state education minister Ashok Chaudhary wished him. Lalu said: "On my birthday, I thank Nitish Kumar and other leaders of the Graand Alliance along with thousands of my party workers as well as my supporters and sympathisers who have visited me early morning. I am really thanksful for their love." "We (Grand Alliance) are one and united and there is no difference. We will continue to challenge the Bharatiya Janata Party in Bihar and outside. I have called for a rally in August in which all top leaders of non-BJP parties will participate." The RJD chief also reminded Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee that they stand in solidarity for the "great cause ahead" after she extended greetings to him. As Prasad turned 70 today, Bihar Chief Minister Nistish Kumar drove to 10 Circular Road to wish him and praised his "immense contribution to Bihar politics and society". Ever since a Nitish-led 'mahagathbandhan' of RJD, JD(U) and Congress handed down a stunning defeat to BJP in 2015 Bihar Assembly election, a grand alliance is being seen as the only way to stop the saffron juggernaut. While similar attempts to forge a coalition in Uttar Pradesh fizzled out, the upcoming Presidential election has seen fresh moves for opposition unity against the BJP. A stream of well-wishers comprising legislators and party workers extended greetings to Prasad. Later in Prasad's presence, Nitish dedicated two road bridges over the river Ganga to the people of the state.