lok-sabha-elections

Updated: Mar 10, 2019 08:46 IST

The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) on Saturday authorised imprisoned party chief Lalu Prasad to finalise seat-sharing with the Congress and other like-minded parties for the Lok Sabha elections and take a call on selection of party nominees.

“RJD president Lalu Prasad has been authorised to take the final call on having various allies of the grand alliance on board and finalise the selection of party candidates in seats falling in our share,” said Manoj Jha, RJD national spokesperson, after a two-hour meeting of the party’s state and central parliamentary boards.

With this, the party has doused speculation on the emergence of new power centres in the Lalu clan and sent out the message that the veteran politician still calls the shot in the RJD.

This is probably the first time that Lalu will be finalising the seat-sharing deal ahead of a crucial general election from jail. He is serving concurrent jail terms after being convicted in three fodder scam cases in December 2017 and January 2018.

Rashtriya Janata Dal officials familiar with matters said after sorting out everything, Lalu is likely to authorise his wife and former chief minister Rabri Devi to clear the allotment of symbols.

Saturday’s meeting, held at Rabri Devi’s 10 Circular Road residence, also authorised Lalu to select the party candidate for the Dehri assembly by-poll.

Rashtriya Janata Dal national vice president Shivanand Tiwary said the seat-share deal would be struck soon.

“Talks are on. Even the NDA has not identified specific seats or finalised candidates yet. Just wait for some time, it will happen soon and we will share the details,” he said.