Meanwhile, BJP has slammed the RJD for holding a rally at a time when Bihar is witnessing massive floods.
Lalu Prasad's mega rally 'BJP bhagao, desh bachao' in Patna's Gandhi Maidan saw participation from SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, West Bangal CM Mamata Benerjee, as well as rebel JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav, who is staring at an expulsion from the party for defying orders.
"Earlier it was rally of RJD, but now it has become a rally of Mahagatbandhan (grand alliance) to save the country," Yadav told reporters at Jay Prakash Narayan Airport in Patna on his arrival on Saturday. Asked about his party warning that participation in the rally would invite action against him, Yadav refused to make any comment saying "Kuch nahi bolna hain" (I have nothing to say)".
Another JD(U) rebel and suspended Rajya Sabha member Ali Anwar is also participating in the rally.
Sharad Yadav who is charting a different path after Nitish decided to break away from the grand alliance of JD(U), RJD, and Congress, is presently a JD(U) Rajya Sabha member. JD(U) principal general secretary KC Tyagi and CM Nitish Kumar have hinted that in the event of Yadav participating in Prasad's rally in violation of the party line, he might lose his RS membership.
Meanwhile, a lot of other senior leaders from other parties are also expected to share the dais with RJD leader Lalu Prasad.
Earlier, the RJD chief said that the rally would be an important event ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha poll in which a united opposition would throw the BJP out of power.
Making a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Prasad said "The country is witnessing an emergency like situation today. Those not agreeing with him are being harassed by lodging court cases."
The BJP and JD(U), however, took potshots at the RJD rally saying it comes at a time when the state is witnessing massive floods in 19 districts. The BJP leader and state Health minister Mangal Pandey accused Lalu Prasad and his party of being insensitive towards flood victims whom neither he nor his partymen visited at the time of distress.
State JD(U) chief spokesman Sanjay Singh said, "instead of visiting flood victims, Lalu Prasad is busy showing his face as well as those of his two sons."
"August 27 will be counted as a black day in political history of the country," he said attacking the RJD.
Patna District Magistrate Sanjay Kumar Aggarwal said that over 6,000 policemen would be deployed for the rally. He said 64 CCTV cameras, 32 inside Gandhi Maidan and as many outside it, have been installed. Two big platforms are being erected for the event. Banners, posters and welcome gates were put up by RJD leaders and workers for the event.
(With PTI inputs)
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