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Janata Parivar: Modi factor brings adversaries on a single platform

By FnF Correspondent | PUBLISHED: 23, Dec 2014, 12:28 pm IST | UPDATED: 23, Dec 2014, 13:02 pm IST

Janata Parivar: Modi factor brings adversaries on a single platform

New Delhi: The fear of Modi factor steadily eating into their respective vote banks has finally forced major regional parties mainly from north India to come on a common platform and even try to weave in a the form a single party.

Six constituents of the erstwhile Janata Parivar -- Janata Dal (United), Indian National Lok Dal, Rashtriya Janata Dal, Samajwadi Party, Janata Dal (Secular) and Samajwadi Janata party -- pitched for larger opposition unity at Mahadharna rally in the capital on Monday.

The timing of the rally, a day before the Jharkhand assembly and J&K election results where exit polls have predicted good showing by the BJP, was indication enough how Modi factor is playing in the minds of the opposition.

Slamming BJP's "divisive politics" they accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi for "telling lies" and "not fulfilling" poll promises on black money.

The rally attended by about 10,000 people according to police estimates is being dubbed as the first solid step towards the merger of major regional political parties of the north.

Remembering old glory of Janata Parivar that had formed three governments in alliance the leaders reminded Modi dispensation that it has got "only 31 percent of votes" and will have to "go back" if Modi failed to fulfill his promises.

Staunch adversaries of the past, RJD supremo Lalu Prasad and JD(U)'s Nitish Kumar called for sinking old prejudices and promised to script a new story in the Indian politics by ousting BJP.

"From our identities as separate parties, we have to merge in a single party. An agreement has been reached on this. Mulayam Singh has to work out the modalities. Let us take a vow now...We should contact even others. Let us make a comprehensive Opposition. We should all come together. Setting aside our prejudices, we want to form a strong Opposition," JD (U) supremo Nitish Kumar said.

Attacking the government on various issues, Lalu Prasad said, "an attempt is being made to persistently target Mamata Banerjee."

Mamata who is worried because of a resurgent BJP at her home turf in West Bengal came onboard by sending letter of support to the leaders through Derek O' Brien, who did not turn up.

SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, whose party is facing a tough time in UP, has been tasked to work out the modalities and take the united fight to its logical end.

Among those sharing the dais were Tariq Anwar and DP Tripathi of the NCP, former prime minister H D Devegowda of JD (S), Dushyant Chautala of Indian National Lok Dal and SJP's Kamal Morarka.