Prelude to mega alliance: JD to back RLD in UP by-polls

In a move that comes amid talk of the two parties exploring the possibility of forging an alliance for the state polls next year, JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav said doors were open for the formation of a grand alliance in the state for which “talks were on”. 

“Our party will support RLD candidates on all three seats in the by-elections going to be held on February 13,” Yadav told reporters after a meeting of the party’s state executive committee. 

RLD chief Ajit Singh had a meeting with the JD(U) president a couple of days back during which the two leaders were reported to have discussed the broad contours of a larger coalition against the BJP at a time when both SP and BSP, the two major parties in the state, have ruled out forging any alliance. 

By-elections are scheduled for Bikapur, Muzaffarnagar and Deoband assembly seats. On the possibility of a “Mahagathbandhan” (grand alliance) on the lines of Bihar ahead of 2017 assembly polls in UP, Yadav said, “Talks are on but nothing concrete has come up till now.” 

In Bihar, JD(U) had formed a grand alliance with Congress and RJD, and dealt a major blow to BJP in the assembly elections. On Samajwadi Party’s role in the future alliance, Yadav said, “We had made them leader of the Mahagathbandhan but they left it.” The SP chief had walked out of the JD(U)-RJD-Congress alliance in Bihar and formed a third front to contest the polls. 

When asked whether SP had some tacit understanding with BJP, Yadav said he would not like to comment.