Lalu says will offer unconditional support to UPA government

August 18th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Tuesday met Congress president Sonia Gandhi and dismissed reports of differences with her. "All talk of differences is wrong.

July 28th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Several MPs of opposition parties staged a sit-in at the main gate of the parliament Tuesday, protesting the spiralling rise in prices of essential commodities. The protest saw the participation of the Left parties, Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), AIADMK and the Biju Janata Dal (BJD).

May 21st, 2009 NEW DELHI - The Indian National Congress and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), which is in power in Tamil Nadu, have reportedly arrived at a formula that could end the deadlock over who from the latter party will make it to the Union Cabinet. According to sources, the Congress and the DMK have reached an understanding on two Cabinet rank ministers, one Minister of State (with Independent charge), and three Ministers of State.

May 20th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Ahead of the Government formation by the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance, the former Jharkhand chief minister and BJP leader Madhu Koda announced his unconditional support to the United Progressive Alliance on Wenesday. Koda contested the Lok Sabha elections as an Independent from the Singhbhum (ST) constituency of Jharkhand.

May 18th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Outgoing Railways Minister Lalu Prasad Monday said that his party, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), would extend unconditional support to the new United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government. Emerging from the last meeting of the outgoing cabinet, Lalu Prasad said his party would provide 'unconditional support' to the new government.

May 18th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Monday met President Pratibha Patil and submitted the resignations of the members of his council of ministers. Manmohan Singh, who also formally stepped down as prime minister, was asked to continue till the formation of the next government.

May 18th, 2009 NEW DELHI - All union ministers submitted their resignations to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who will give his own letter and that of his cabinet to President Pratibha Patil in the afternoon. 'It is protocol that the prime minister of the outgoing government resigns after election results,' a prime ministerial aide told IANS, adding that Manmohan Singh and the ministers would be asked to continue till the formation of the next government.

May 18th, 2009 NEW DELHI - With their vote tally having plummeted, former UPA allies Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Samajwadi Party (SP) Monday sounded chastened as they offered the new United Progressive Alliance government their unconditional support and said they were not interested in being part of the new ministry. RJD leader Lalu Prasad, who was railways minister, was in the capital to attend the last cabinet meeting of the outgoing government.

May 17th, 2009 NEW DELHI - With his Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) reduced to just four Lok Sabha seats, party chief Lalu Prasad said Sunday he would 'always' support the UPA, whether or not he is part of the new government. On his arrival in Delhi after being called by United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi to attend a meeting of the outgoing cabinet on Monday, the railways minister told reporters: 'I being a part of the government or not is another thing.

May 17th, 2009 PATNA/NEW DELHI - UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi Sunday rang up RJD chief and Railways Minister Lalu Prasad asking him to attend a meeting of the outgoing cabinet Monday and invited him to join the new government, sources close to the minister said. Bhola Yadav, personal assistant of Lalu Prasad, told IANS from Patna minutes before the minister left for Delhi that: 'Sonia-ji called up and invited him (Lalu Prasad) to attend the meeting and also join the government.' 'Lalu-ji has already regretted that the RJD did not ally with the Congress in the elections,' he added.

May 16th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Rashtriya Janata Dal supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav on Saturday admitted that not supporting the Congress was a mistake. "It's the mandate for the people," Lalu said, adding that he harbored no grudges against Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

April 18th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Saturday said it would complain before the Election Commission against Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad's allegedly 'abusive' remarks about its prime ministerial candidate L.K. Advani. Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Friday told a rally in Darbhanga, Bihar, that the BJP and Advani were responsible for the 1992 demolition of the Babri mosque in Ayodhya.

March 31st, 2009 NEW DELHI - The Congress Tuesday said it was feeling hurt by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad's desertion from its camp in Bihar -- all over seat-sharing. 'I do not find any explanation why Lalu Prasad could not accommodate six seats to the Congress out of 40 (in the state).

March 25th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Samajwadi Party General Secretary Amar Singh today said that party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Lalu Prasad may join hands, and added that the SP also wants Ram Vila Paswan to come on board. "There is likelihood of Lalu Prasad and Mulayam Singh Yadav coming together.

February 22nd, 2009 NEW DELHI - Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Saturday described the Left as a 'permanent friend' and that his Rashtraiya Janata Dal (RJD) may contest elections in alliance with the communists. 'They (Left) are our permanent friends and they will remain our friends.