All is well, say Bihar’s ruling Grand Alliance leaders

Patna, Jan 23 (IANS) In a show of unity by Bihar's ruling Grand Alliance, its top leaders, including Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, RJD chief Lalu Prasad, senior JD-U leader Sharad Yadav and state Congress President Ashok Choudhary, on Monday attended a 'Lok Samvad' here.

Seeking to lay at rest speculations of differences within, they claimed that the alliance stands united.

This is the first-ever show of unity since the Janata Dal-United (JD-U), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress came together to form the Grand Alliance and the government led by Nitish Kumar came to power in November 2015.

The Lok Samvad participants included MLAs of the three parties, district presidents and block-level leaders and workers.

"Nitish Kumar has stressed the need for smooth coordination among leaders and workers of the three parties right from block to the district level to monitor governance and implementation of development works," a JD-U leader said.

Nitish Kumar has informed the leaders and workers of the Grand Alliance that committees at district and block levels will be formed soon for the implementation of 20-point programme.

"Leaders of the Grand Alliance from district to block level will get place in the committee," he said.

Lalu Prasad has praised the functioning of Nitish-led government and announced that a "Darbar" will be held for workers of the alliance on fourth Monday of every month here to listen to their grievances.

"Laluji has assured the leaders and workers of the Grand Alliance that officers cannot ignore them and the government will look into it," a RJD leader said.

Ashok Choudhary, who is the Bihar Education Minister, said there is no rift in the Grand Alliance government and everything is well.