‘Nothing to gain from merger’

“Leaders who have been consulted within the party have clearly spoken that there is nothing tangible to gain from the proposed merger. Neither Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad have any political clout in UP nor Mulayam Singh Yadav has any following in Bihar. So, what is there to gain for barring mere posturing,” said a senior SP leader.

Besides, the Samajwadi Party is also making a case that its constitution is sacrosanct and not open for changes or amendments.

“At the time of founding of the Samajwadi Party, it was clearly stated that its constitution, symbol and name will never be changed and that makes the case for merging the party into any Janata Parivar outfit improbable,” stated the SP functionary.

Additionally, the SP has not yet forgotten the bitter experiences, which led to the party parting ways with the Janata Dal in 1990s. “There are too many vested interests of the leaders of the JD(U) and the RJD and it will be expecting too much from them to bury their animosities for larger political interests,” said another Samajwadi Party leader close to the party chief.