Patna,(BiharTimes): Though chief minister Nitish Kumar kept  himself away from the Nishad Maharally in Patna on Saturday  afternoon RJD chief Lalu Prasad and JD(U) president Sharad  Yadav shared the dais. They publicly declared their resolve  to contest the election jointly.

Unlike in the case of Prajapati Rally (of Kumhar Samaj) on  April 19 where no reason was given for the absence of Nitish  Kumar this time it was said that due to his eye surgery last  week he was unable to attend the show.

However, the presence of Sharad Yadav and the fact that the  show was organized by Baidyanath Sahni, a minister in the  Nitish cabinet, helped both the RJD and JD(U) put up a united  front. Though there were a lot of JD(U) flags and posters having  photos of Nitish Kumar it was Lalu Prasad, who stole the  show. 

Not only he called for the unity of all the backward castes,  Dalits and minorities but also recalled as to how were these  sections taken for a ride by Narednra Modi.  Regretting that these sections got divided Lalu recalled  how his government in 1990s removed tax on fish and toddy,  which facilitated the Mallahs (Nishads) and Pasi (toddy- sellers).

He warned the people of the design of the Narendra Modi  government which, according to him is playing into the hands  of the corporate lobby, both national and international. Reminding the people of the Mandal years he said that all  efforts are being made to finish the government jobs so that  the backwards and Dalits could not benefit from the fruit of  reservation.

Lalu said that the present day backwards and Dalits are not  so much aware of the treatment meted out to their forefathers  by the upper castemen. Addressing the Nishads as ‘Nadi-putra’, he said that “you are  the malik of rivers, oceans etc.” He explained as to how Narendra Modi cheated the people in  the name of bringing back black money and depositing Rs 15.5  lakh in each account.

Earlier, JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav stressed the need for unity  in all the non-BJP parties as the country, is in the grip of  “Jhoot ka samraj” (the empire of lies). According to him all sorts of canards are being spread every  moment, every day and everywhere by the BJP government. This  is a big challenge and the people should rise to the  occasion, he said adding that the country is facing a serious
danger. “We will fight the election jointly. We promise you.  Let them plant any story.