Rashtriya Janta Dal (RJD) leader Sunil Kumar Singh on Monday refuted all speculations of joining the BJP and said that he will remain with Lalu Yadav till his last breath. He said that he has seen several political storms in his career of 27 years and stood by the RJD chief like a rock. The response came after Congress leader Ajit Sharma said that Bihar CM Nitish Kumar asked Singh if he was in touch with the BJP and why he met Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The CM also asked the RJD MLC to go if the latter is willing to contest the Lok Sabha elections on behalf of the saffron party.
"Home Minister Amit Shah is the Cooperative Minister...He came to a government programme...I am a director in the board. The first Cooperative Congress took place on July 1, in which PM Modi and Amit Shah came and I put that picture on my page. It's not like we are having a personal meeting. The media is exaggerating this and it is very unfortunate. No citizen of the country can question my integrity...I was, am and will be with Lalu Prasad Yadav..."
Earlier, speaking to the media, Congress leader Ajit Sharma spoke on the 'grand alliance' meeting chaired by Bihar CM Nitish Kumar in Patna. He said, "In the meeting, CM Nitish Kumar asked RJD MLC Sunil Kumar whether he is in touch with the BJP? Why he met Amit Shah? He also asked him that is he in touch with Amit Shah. The CM said to Sunil Kumar that if he wants to contest the Lok Sabha elections on behalf of the BJP then he can go."
The opposition parties are conducting several meetings to put a united front against the Narendra Modi-led NDA alliance in next year's general elections.
On Sunday, amid hints of joining the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) Ram Vilas chief Chirag Paswan said that discussions regarding the alliance were going on for a long time and that the decision will be announced soon. He stated that a meeting was held with all party leaders, who authorised him to take any decision regarding forming an alliance. He further stated that his rebellious uncle Pashupati Kumar Paras' presence in the Modi cabinet won't affect the alliance.