Lalu said, “We can’t make Ideological compromise, we can die, but this is not possible,(Source: Reuters)

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav on Wednesday said that he’ll make no ideological comprise in extending support for Presidential candidate. Lalu, while speaking with news agency ANI, said his alliance with Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal United (JDU) is intact. On being asked if he supports Rashriya Swayam Sewak Sangh (RSS) chief for president post, he said that “he’ll die, but not compromise with his principles.” Lalu said, “We can’t make Ideological compromise, we can die, but this is not possible, (Ideological samjhauta nahi kar sakte,mar-mitt jayenge lekin ye sambhav nahi hai).” Lalu Yadav added, “Our Alliance (with JDU) is intact, it is as true as truth of death (Gathbandhan humara intact hai. ‘Mrityu-satya’ hai jaise usi tarah se humara gathbandhan satya hai).”

While speaking to PTI, Lalu said that election was not just for choosing the President and the Vice President. “It is a preparation for the next election. The aim is to remove the BJP,” he said after a meeting with Congress President Sonia Gandhi. When asked about the Shiv Sena throwing up BJP leader LK Advani’s name, he said, “You wait and see what happens.”

Earlier in the day, opposition party leaders, including Lalu, failed to reach a consensus on picking a joint candidate for Presidential Election scheduled for July 17. In a meeting chaired by Congress President Sonia Gandhi, only preliminary discussion on the election could take place, Ghulam Nabi Azad told media. “Today was the first meeting, no name was discussed, (Aaj pehli meeting thi. Aaj kisi naam par charcha nahi hui)” Azad told media. The Congress leader added that 10-member opposition panel would meet again to decide on a suitable presidential nominee. The meeting was held in the chambers of Azad, who is the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha.