Patna : Jan Adhikar Party (Loktantric) chief Pappu Yadav, who met Lalu Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav, merged his party with the Congress today and joined the INDIA bloc. During his visit to Delhi today, Pappu Yadav along with his son Sarthak Yadav met the Congress leadership and formally joined the grand old party. His wife Ranjeet Ranjan is already a Rajya Sabha MP from Congress.

The merger of JAP with the Congress was announced at a press conference later when Pappu Yadav said that the Congress family and its ideology gave them strong energy and thanked the people for their support. He said that Rahul Gandhi, who has been a symbol of struggle, and Priyanka Gandhi have given them support and courage.He said that his party JAP contested three elections and it had also stood for service, justice and struggle. "I have been MP five times and MLA once, my entire ideology has been with Congress," he said. He further said that "if anyone has won the hearts of 130 crore people of India, it is Rahul Gandhi. If anyone has given hope, then it is Rahul Gandhi. I am with him in his fight for Dalits and OBCs."

Strategy of Kosi-Seemanchal-Mithilanchal: A few days ago, Pappu Yadav had organized a huge public meeting in the name of Pranam Purnia. He said that the INDIA alliance has to be strengthened in Kosi-Seemanchal-Mithilachal. Pappu Yadav said that his path has always been that of Congress and his aim is to defeat BJP.

Earlier, before leaving for Delhi, Pappu Yadav completely denied reports about the merger of his party 'JAP' with the Congress, saying that he is going to Delhi where he will talk to Congress leadership. He said that Rahul Gandhi had gone on a tour across the country, huge crowds were gathering, in such a situation, people are definitely going with Rahul Gandhi.''The public has understood that this government is just making lip service. BJP has to be defeated by any means and definitely the way we have united, BJP will be defeated,'' said Pappu Yadav. He said that Lalu is their family and met him and Tejaswi late at night. "Seemanchal has been my work area. Our effort is to stop BJP in Seemanchal and Mithilanchal at any cost. Right now we are going to Delhi to talk to Congress leaders," he said. Rejecting the question of merger of JAP with Congress, he said that 'we will fight against BJP'.Pappu Yadav further said that they have been anti-BJP from the beginning. "If we want to defeat BJP in the entire country, we will have to be united. If this unity continues then BJP will definitely lose in the entire country and this is what is going to happen this time," he said.There has been talk for many days that Pappu Yadav can contest elections from Purnia on Congress ticket. If sources are to be believed, this matter was being discussed continuously between Congress and RJD. Late on Monday night, Pappu Yadav met Lalu and Tejashwi in this connection. Their discussion was stated to be regarding Purnia seat.After meeting Lalu and Tejashwi Yadav late at night, Pappu Yadav wrote on his social media account, "Today, a meeting in a family atmosphere with the guardian and father figure respected Lalu ji and honorable leader of opposition brother Tejashwi ji! Together, the strategy to oust BJP in Bihar was discussed. Strength of INDIA alliance in Bihar, 100% success in Seemanchal, Kosi, Mithilanchal is the target."