Patna: Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP), an ally of BJP, on Wednesday said the merger of the five splinter groups of the Janata Parivar would pose a strong challenge to the saffron party and its partners in Bihar polls be held later this year.

"After unification of Janata Parivar, there is no doubt that they will gain strength. The merger will send a strong message across the state," RLSP President and Union Minister of State for Education Upendra Kushwaha told reporters.

"It was easy for NDA to defeat them when they fought election separately but to take them on after unification, we need to be more alert and better prepared," he said.

The result of the bypolls in 10 seats about three months after the Lok Sabha elections in which NDA could win only four while JD(U), RJD and Congress bagged 6 seats makes it all the more important for NDA to have a better strategy and preparation, Kushwaha, who hosted a feast for party workers on the occasion of Makar Sankranti at his house, said. He, however, said there was no need for NDA to worry.

Kushwaha said, "Time has come for NDA to hammer out issues like whether somebody should be projected (as chief ministerial candidate) in Bihar poll."

Asked whether there were talks between RLSP and BJP over seat sharing, Kushwaha said, "There is nothing to worry and everything would be done at the right time."

"RLSP is preparing for all 243 seats. We will either contest in the seats or support candidates put up by allies," he said.

Attacking Nitish Kumar, he said, "He seems to be in a hurry for a merger with Lalu Prasad Yadav who otherwise was giving a cold shoulder to him."

"Nitish Kumar appears to have completely surrendered before Lalu Prasad," he added.

On reports of spat between Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi and Nitish Kumar, Kushwaha said, "The episode has increased worries of Nitish Kumar who is making unsuccessful attempts to get rid of Manjhi."