Janata Dal-United president Sharad Yadav said on Friday that the alliance with Lalu Prasad's Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) for the Assembly elections scheduled later this year was "sure and certain".
"The alliance between the JD-U and RJD is sure and certain. But I cannot give a date for it," Sharad Yadav said, after a closed-door meeting for three hours with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
The JD-U president downplayed the differences between the two political parties over the projection of a chief ministerial candidate.
"The alliance will be finalised soon and talks will continue on other issues," he said before leaving for Delhi.
Yadav said he was confident of a strong (pre-poll) alliance of JD-U, RJD and the Congress.
"A strong secular alliance <g data-gr-id="24">is need</g> of the time to ensure the defeat of BJP in Bihar's polls," he said.
Earlier, Millennium Post had carried stories, highlighting differences between the two major factions of the Janata Parivar over the choice of the Chief Ministerial candidate.
Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) feels merger of Janata Parivar would pose a "difficult" challenge to it in the upcoming Bihar polls. The Centre is likely to announce a package for the state as promised in the General Budget soon.
Nitish plants mango saplings
Encouraging people to plant more trees, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on <g data-gr-id="35">friday</g> celebrated World Environment Day by planting two mango saplings at his 7, Circular Road residence in the state capital. "People should inculcate the habit of planting at least one tree or plant every year in their houses," Kumar said.