On a day that the BJP released its first list of 195 candidates for the Lok Sabha polls, the National Democratic Alliance led by the party also got a boost with Jayant Chaudhary’s Rashtriya Lok Dal formally joining the bloc. The Uttar Pradesh-based party was a part of the opposition INDIA alliance and had been indicating for some time now that the switch was likely to happen.
Posting photos of Mr Chaudhary meeting him and Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP President JP Nadda said in Hindi on X, “I met RLD chief Jayant Chaudhary in the presence of Amit Shah. I heartily welcome his decision to join the NDA family. Under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, you will make an important contribution to the journey towards a developed India and the development of Uttar Pradesh.”
Rumours that an alliance between the BJP and the RLD was in the works had been doing the rounds for a while and had got credence when the Bharat Ratna was announced for Mr Chaudhary’s grandfather and former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh on February 9. The RLD chief had welcomed the honour, writing, “Dil jeet liya mera (They have won my heart).
When reporters had asked him if he was going to ally with the BJP, Mr Chaudhary had said, “Is there anything left? How can I refuse?”
Three days later, he had indicated that the deal with the BJP had been sealed and a formal announcement could be expected soon. On questions that people in his party were not happy with the decision, the RLD chief had said he had made it only after speaking to everyone and in the interest of the people of Uttar Pradesh.
