RJD to back TDP’s no-trust move

Patna: Telegu Desam Party (TDP) leaders on Tuesday met RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, seeking support from his party for a no-confidence motion against the NDA government at the Centre.

According to RJD MLA Bhola Yadav, “Three TDP leaders met Lalu Yadav at his residence and discussed the issue. Our party has agreed to extend support for the no-confidence motion against the NDA government at the Centre.” TDP leaders have been meeting like-minded political parties to garner support for a no-confidence motion against the government for its failure in providing the special status category to Andhra Pradesh.

According to TDP MP Mohan Rao, his party leaders have also sought an appointment with Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar.

“Our party supports JD(U)’s demand for special status and would like meet and urge him to support a no-confidence motion on the issue,” Mr Rao said.

The RJD has four MPs in the Lok Sabha while the JD(U), which is a constituent of NDA in Bihar, has two MPs. The TDP had pulled out of the NDA in March over their demand for the special status category.

The Nitish Kumar-led JD(U) has also been raising a similar demand for Bihar since 2006. The Bihar chief minister on Monday had raised the issue of special status and urged the Finance Commission to support backward state like Bihar to catch up with other developed states.

On Monday, Mr Kumar had said that his government will plead the case before the 15th Finance Commission when it visits Bihar.