Patna: JD (U) leader Sharad Yadav on Sunday announced that he will another ‘Mahagathbandhan’ (Grand Alliance) at the national level to defeat BJP-led NDA in the next general elections. “Hindustan bhar mein Gathbandhan banega ab,” Sharad Yadav said addressing a large gathering at a rally here organised by RJD chief and former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad.
Without naming Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who is also the JD(U) president, Sharad Yadav said, “I would like to remind those who broke the Grand Alliance in Bihar that now we will form the Grand Alliance at the national level.”
According to media reports, Sharad Yadav said that breaking the Grand Alliance of the JD(U), RJD and Congress in Bihar was a betrayal of people of Bihar and their mandate. “People were cheated. I am sure and certain that I will form a Grand Alliance in the country,” said the reports.
Sharad Yadav said he will visit every nook and corner of the country to form this bigger alliance of 1.25 crore people. This time, Sharad Yadav said, the alliance will make a real difference on the ground for people.
He cautioned people that a nexus of politics and religion was dangerous. “If politics and religion mix, it will create troubles like what happened in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan.”
“I will fight till my last breath. I have been a member of Parliament for last 43 years, but I will not hesitate to fight to protect the country from divisive forces,” he said.
It was the first time Sharad Yadav shared the stage with Lalu Prasad, ignoring the JD(U)’s warning not to attend it. A smiling Lalu Prasad shook hands with Sharad Yadav and hugged him.
Trinamool Congress chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav and senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad also attended the rally.
CP Joshi of the Congress, NCP’s Tarique Anwar, RLD’s Choudhary Jayant Singh, CPI’s Sudhakar Reddy, former Jharkhand Chief Ministers Hemant Soren of JMM, Babulal Marandi of the JVM, AIUDF leader Baadruddin Azmal and leaders from the DMK, JD-S and RSP also attended the rally.
Also present at the rally were Lalu Prasad’s younger son and former Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, his elder son Tej Pratap Yadav, his wife and former Chief Minister Rabri Devi and their daughter Misa Bharti.
