Nitish: JD-U won't break ties with BJP

RAJGIR: While reiterating that it will not sever its ties with BJP, the Janata Dal (United) on Tuesday renewed its call to Lok Janshakti Party to help form a non-RJD government by "accommodating" like-minded parties.
Addressing the inaugural function of the party’s three-day "atma-manthan shivir"here, JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar also suggested the formulation of a common minimum programme before the formation of the government."The parties and individuals, who fought the election to oust RJD, should adopt a flexible approach and commit themselves to the common minimum programme,"he said.
Taking a dig at LJP president Ram Vilas Paswan, who has maintained equal distance from both the RJD and the BJP, Nitish said only sermons would not help solve the problems of the state and its people "to whom we all are accountable". Parties, which wish to bring development to the state, should give up their rigid position, he added. Earlier, talking to media persons, Nitish said there was no point in snapping ties with the BJP in alliance with which the JD(U) fought the assembly polls.
Senior party leader and former Union minister Digvijay Singh also pleaded for a common minimum programme so as to bring all the anti-RJD and anti-Congress parties on a common platform and form the government. He said though the JD(U) leaders have been in touch with Paswan, formal negotiations on the issue would begin now.
State JD(U) president Vijendra Yadav also called upon the anti-RJD parties to display flexibility if the government has to be formed.
Party president George Fernandes, former Union minister Sharad Yadav, former CM Jagannath Mishra, party MPs, MLAs and district unit leaders are attending the meet.
JD(U) MLA from Nalanda Sharwan Kumar welcomed the delegates and hoped this meeting will lead to the formation of government in the state.