Patna (Bihar) [India], October 22 : Independent Purnea MP Pappu Yadav, on Wednesday, called senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot "ambassador" of Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi, backing Gehlot's statement that the INDIA bloc is "fully united" for the Bihar Assembly election.
The Purnea MP expressed complete faith in Gehlot's leadership and believed that the former Rajasthan CM will "keep the alliance together."
"What he said is right. He is bighearted. I believe that under his leadership, Mahagathbandhan will run smoothly. Now that he is here, all will be well. He is the ambassador of Rahul Gandhi, Congress always honours its alliance. He has shown bigheartedness today as well. He will keep the alliance together," he told ANI.
Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot and AICC Bihar in-charge Krishna Allavaru met with Rashtriya Janata Dal's top leadership, Lalu Prasad Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav, on Wednesday.
Following the meeting, Ashok Gehlot assured that the INDIA Bloc is "fully united." He also informed that the Mahagathbandhan will hold a press conference tomorrow to show the strength of the alliance.
Gehlot further slammed the BJP for running a "sponsored campaign" in Bihar to create an "environment" that would suggest a rift within the alliance.
"Today, a highly positive meeting took place with AICC Bihar in-charge Shri Krishna Allavaru, along with Shri Lalu Prasad Yadav and Shri Tejashwi Yadav. The INDIA alliance in Bihar is fully united and is contesting the elections with strength. Tomorrow, the full situation will be clarified in the Mahagathbandhan's press conference," he said.
Further speaking about the friendly fights on some seats in the alliance, Gehlot assured that it is not something out of the ordinary and Mahagathbandhan has "no problem" at all.
"In 243 seats, due to local leaders and equations, a situation like a friendly fight sometimes arises on 5-7 seats. This is a very small number, but a campaign was run against the Mahagathbandhan in the media over it, whereas in reality, there is no problem at all," he said.
"Bihar now wants change, and the people of the entire Bihar understand that the victory of the INDIA alliance in the state is in the interest of the country and the state," he added.
The Mahagathbandhan has about 12 seats where at least two allies have filed nominations. However, this notion of a friendly fight has invited criticism from the NDA alliance, which has had no fissures after its seat-sharing arrangements were announced.