Sonia makes Arjun talk to Laloo, he’s no longer angry: we’re old friends

Before leaving for the meeting, a visibly pleased Laloo Yadav told reporters: ‘‘Sonia Gandhi has directed Arjun Singh to have talks with us, after which we will have discussions with the Congress president.’’

The meeting was attended by partners which included the CPI(M)’s Basudev Acharya, the CPI’s AB Bardhan and D Raja, apart from RJD’s Raghuvansh Prasad Singh and Prem Gupta. Arjun Singh was assisted by his colleague, M L Fotedar, at the meeting.

Laloo Yadav, who only a day ago had said the Congress was free to chart its own course in Bihar, today said he was a ‘‘trusted ally’’ of the Congress, and that it was his duty to take along alliance partners in the state Assembly polls.

Emerging from the meeting, Yadav said, ‘‘There is no question of complaints. We will contest together by sorting out our differences.’’ He also added, ‘‘Talks will continue till a positive outcome is reached to defeat the communal forces.’’ Asked to comment on his outburst yesterday, the RJD chief, with Arjun Singh beside him, shot back, ‘‘Can’t you see we are standing together? Arjun Singh is a respected leader and our guardian.’’

The last two days had seen Yadav ranting over the Congress sewing up an alliance with the JMM in Jharkhand, while talks on seat sharing were still on for Bihar. Meanwhile, the CPI(M) too asked the Congress and RJD to sort out their seat-sharing differences in Jharkhand and Bihar soon.

Emerging from the meeting, CPI(M) leader Basudev Acharya told reporters: ‘‘We are a small partner but we want the Congress and RJD to sort out their differences.’’

Party politburo member Sitaram Yechury also came out in support of Laloo Yadav, when he said in Kolkata, ‘‘The RJD is the main political force in Bihar. It is also the main force against communalism. Therefore, it is not possible to fight communal forces in the state without the RJD.’’

On the other side, the BJP released its list of candidates for the two states of Haryana and Jharkhand. However, it has deferred its list for Bihar, over trouble with its partner, the JD(U).