We will live with RJD and die with RJD: Paswan

He was responding to speculations that he may find a place in the Union Cabinet likely to be shuffled by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in near future.

While thanking Congress President Sonia Gandhi and her political advisor Ahmed Patel for personally wishing him on his 64th birthday yesterday,Paswan said,“it is my political decision not to become a Minister and instead give a voice to the Dalit issues in Parliament.” Paswan,whose party has announced to contest the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections in alliance with Lalu Prasad-led RJD,said,“We will live with RJD and die with RJD. Ram Vilas Paswan minus RJD and vice versa is unthinkable. Our alliance is rock solid and unbreakable.” When asked if there is any possibility of his joining hands with Congress for Bihar polls,he said,“There is no question of going hither or thither. We have very little left for the elections.” The Congress had already on July 5 said that there was “little possibility” of the party forging any alliance with LJP for the Bihar polls.

“LJP and RJD will form the next government in Bihar with two third majority,” Paswan said.

The LJP chief announced that he and Prasad will launch a joint campaign in Bihar from July 16 and cover 50 constituencies – 40 by chopper and the rest 10 by road.

The first phase of the joint campaign will start from Madhepura and cover most of Kosi-flood affected areas.

“Congress is trying to revive there while we (RJD-LJP) are trying to form a government. There is a difference between reviving and forming a government,” he said.