New Delhi: `Non-Congressism is dead for us now`, JD(U) general secretary K C Tyagi on Friday said indicating the possibility of a tie-up by the two parties which have been virtually decimated by Narendra Modi juggernaut in Bihar.
Sources said that parleys have already been held between second rung leaders of both Congress and JD(U) to discuss possibilities including bringing AICC general secretary Shakeel Ahmed in Rajya Sabha with the help of Nitish Kumar`s party.
The leaders among whom confabulations were held a few days back included a functionary close to the Congress President, the sources said indicating the possibility of yet another political realignment in Bihar.
"Non-Congressism is dead for us now. What is the point in continuing with it when Congress has no existence in dozens of states. Gone are the days of non-Congressism.
These are the days for non-BJPism for us. We are ready to work with all non-BJP parties including Congress, Left and regional parties," Tyagi said.
Three Rajya Sabha seats from Bihar have fallen vacant due to resignation of LJP President Ram Vilas Paswan, BJP general secretary Rajiv Pratap Rudy and Ram Kripal Yadav, who was with RJD and joined BJP before the Lok Sabha election.
All three have been elected to the Lok Sabha Paswan from Hajipur, Rudy from Saran and Yadav from Patalipura.
Since byelections to the Upper House are held separately, the ruling JD(U) in Bihar may be able to win all three seats. The names of JD (U) president Sharad Yadav and senior party Shakuni Choudhary are doing the rounds.
Sources said that JD (U) is willing to offer its support to bring Congress leader Shakeel Ahmed in the Rajya Sabha. Ahmed, who was a strong votary of Congress-RJD alliance, had to forego his claim on Madhubani Lok Sabha seat as the RJD later refused to part with it.
Ahmed is learnt to have played a key role in Congress` decision to support he government in Bihar, which was first led by first Nitish Kumar and then Jitan Ram Manjhi.
He is also said to be in favour of an alliance with JD(U) for the Assembly elections in Bihar next year.
Asked about the possibility of JD(U) supporting the Congress leader for Rajya Sabha, Tyagi was evasive saying "no such initiative or proposal has come to us from Congress till now.
"If it comes, our leadership-- Nitish Kumar and Sharad Yadav -- will take a decision."
