Rahul, Sonia Gandhi may skip Lalu's rally

The Rashtriya Janata Dal's (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav's anti-BJP rally titled "Desh Bachao, Bhajpa Bhagao" on August 27 in Patna being touted as part of fresh efforts to bring in Opposition unity may fail the test, as at least three senior leaders — Rahul Gandhi (Congress), Mayawati (BSP) and Sitaram Yechury (CPM) — have decided to stay away from the rally. Two others —   (DMK) and Sharad Pawar (NCP) — are also uncertain. So far only West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and rebel Janata Dal-United leader Sharad Yadav have confirmed their participation.

Lalu is in touch with Congress leadership convincing them to send Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi. But sources here said that neither Congress President Sonia Gandhi nor Rahul would be able to attend the rally. Instead, the Congress has nominated Ghulam Nabi Azad and C P Joshi to attend the rally with a message from Mrs Gandhi.

At the time of announcing the rally, Lalu had boasted of bringing Mayawati and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav as well as Mamata Benerjee and Left together on one platform, which, according to him would mean the 'end of the match for the BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechuri said that his party is yet to take a call on this.