Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) formally joined the
BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
RLD shifting allegiance to the NDA would be a shot in the arm for the ruling dispensation in Uttar Pradesh, which has the highest number of parliamentary constituencies, while it would be another setback for the Opposition’s INDIA bloc.
The official announcement was made by the RLD and BJP Saturday night.
Talking to reporters in the national capital, in response to a question on joining the NDA, RLD chief Jayant Chaudhary had recently said he has taken the decision after speaking to all the MLAs and workers of the party.
He also categorically stated that there was no big planning over this.
“We had to take this step within a short time. There was no big panning. We want to do something good for the country and the people,” the RLD chief said.
Referring to the recent announcement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to honour former prime minister Chaudhary Charan Singh with Bharat Ratna, “When Bharat Ratna has been awarded, we all feel happy.”
Earlier, he had heaped praise on the Prime Minister and said “dil jet liya’’ (won the heart).
It may be mentioned that earlier Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) president, Nitish Kumar had severed ties with the INDIA and joined the NDA. He was one of the architects of the Opposition alliance.
The RLD is the second party to leave the INDIA bloc, after the Nitish Kumar-led Janata Dal United. And while the party and its leader may not have the same profile as the JDU and Kumar, its exit will be a setback for the opposition because it is a player in the all-important state of Uttar Pradesh.
Of the 80 Lok Sabha seats in the state, the BJP had won 62 in 2019 but still managed to get to a tally of 303 nationally. This time around, the BJP is targeting winning 370 on its own and 400 for the NDA. The RLD, which enjoys support among the Jats, can play a role in getting it closer to that figure.