Laloo softens stand; hints at RJD joining Govt Friday, May 21 2004 21:50 Hrs (IST)
New Delhi:
In a softening of posture, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Laloo Prasad Yadav today (May 21, 2004) gave ample hints that his party would join the Congress-led coalition Government at the Centre saying there was "some progress" in his party's demand for fair share in the Ministry.
A day after the sulking RJD leader returned to Patna in a huff following negotiations on portfolios, Yadav came back to the capital this morning and held a series of meetings with Prime Minister-designate Manmohan Singh and other senior Congress leaders Pranab Mukherjee, Arjun Singh, R K Dhawan and Kapil Sibal as also NCP chief Sharad Pawar.
He also met Ahmed Patel, political secretary to Congress president Sonia Gandhi.
At the end of these confabulations, Yadav told reporters, "There is some progress. That is why I am saying all this."
"There was no tussle ahead of Government formation. You will know everything tomorrow," he added.
"I have given a list of suggestions in writing to Congress leaders," he said without divulging the contents but sources close to him said the Bihar strongman demanded a "fair share" of power for the allies.