SJ(D) merges with JD(U)

Thrissur: Kerala based party Socialist Janata (Democratic) headed by former Union Minister M P Veerendra Kumar and a constituent of ruling Congress-led UDF in the state Sunday merged with Janata Dal (United) in the presence of party President Sharad Yadav here.

Formalising the merger, the JD(U) flag was handed over to Veerendra Kumar by Yadav and former Bihar Chief Minister and party leader Nitish Kumar in front of a huge gathering.

Yadav declared Veerendra Kumar as the President of Kerala JD(U) unit.

He also asked Veerendra Kumar to take efforts to strengthen the party in neighbouring states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

"This is a historic moment and the beginning of socialist unity going to take place at national level", Nitish said.

SJD has two MLAs -- K P Mohanan, who is the Agriculture Minister and Shreyams Kumar, son of Veerendra Kumar -- in the 140-member assembly.

Announcing the merger decision in New Delhi in September last, Yadav and Veerendra Kumar had said they have come together to strengthen "secular democratic forces" as they feel that there is a need to create a platform for this.

Veerendra Kumar was in Janata Dal (Secular) headed by former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda from 1999 to 2010, when Janata Dal had broken into many factions after some of its leaders decided to join hands with BJP-led NDA at the Centre.

He parted ways with the JD(S) and formed the SJ(D) on August 7, 2010.