New Delhi: Congress today did not attach much significance over the possibility of the “Janata Parivar” emerging again with likely merger of parties which were part of the erstwhile Janata Dal.
“I am all for unity of the Janata Parivar. They are also in the opposition and we are also...I don't think we are jumping...because other people are meeting in the other room,” party spokesman Salman Khurshid told reporters in reply to a volley of questions on the issue.
He suggested that it was too early to say anything in the matter and it depended upon convergence both inside and outside Parliament and whether they could have an agreed platform.
A party leader, who declined to be identified, said that it must be understood that the efforts for the unity of Janata Parivar have begun given that Assembly elections in Bihar are due next year and in Uttar Pradesh in 2017.
JD-U and Samajwadi Party are in power in the two states respectively and face a serious challenge from BJP with the party coming to power at the Centre.
Following a meeting at Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav's residence here yesterday, the parties which were earlier part of the Janata Dal resolved to work together inside and outside Parliament as a strong opposition.
Former Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar said after the meeting, “We resolved to work together and in the near future. There is a strong possibility we might merge and form one party.”
Those who gathered at Yadav's residence, included Janata Dal(S) Chief H D Deve Gowda, Rashtriya Janata Dal supremo Lalu Prasad, Samajwadi Janata Party leader Kamal Morarka and Indian National Lok Dal MP Dushyant Chautala.
The refrain at the meeting was that it was imperative that they came together as Congress had all but vacated the opposition space.
