RJD, LJP still friends, says Congress

NEW DELHI: Despite RJD chief Lalu Prasad's decision to field candidates against Congress in Bihar, the latter adopted a conciliatory approach stating that it (Prasad's decision) does not mark the end of UPA or the party's friendship with RJD and LJP.

"We don't want to contest. He (Prasad) wants to put all candidates against our candidates. You know we have not come to that stage of taking a decision....put up candidates against Lalu and Paswan who continue to be our friends," Congress media cell head M Veerappa Moily told reporters.

Earlier in a press conference today, Prasad had accused Congress of trying to "finish off" regional parties. He had announced that his party would contest Aurangabad, Sasaram and Madhubani -- all held by Congress.

Prasad had also said Congress alone did not constitute UPA. "If the name of UPA remains, it is good, otherwise some other name can be adopted and some other front will be formed," he had said.

Reacting to his statement, Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari told PTI, "It is erroneous to presume the end of the UPA with Lalu contesting all 40 seats (in Bihar). UPA was brought into existence primarily to strengthen, broaden and consolidate secularism.

"If in any particular state we cannot arrive at a seat adjustment with any of our partners because of no fault of ours this does not mean the end of UPA."