Patna April 9 (IANS): After Lalu Prasad's Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), the ruling Janata Dal-United (JD-U) of Bihar has affirmed its approval for the merger of six parties of the erstwhile Janata Parivar.

"The party has declared its support for merger and authorised Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and JD-U president Sharad Yadav to finalise the process of the merger," Bihar Water Resources Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary told at a press meet here on Wednesday night after the conclusion of JD-U legislature party meeting.

Choudhary said a consensus has emerged in the party during its meeting and it was decided to go in favour of the JD-U's merger with the Janata Parivar.

"A resolution on merging the JD-U with the other parties of the Janata Parivar was passed at the meeting," he said.

The meeting was attended by the party's legislators,members of parliament and senior leaders.

"The party leaders have requested Nitish Kumar to formally finalise the merger soon in view of the next Bihar assembly polls later this year," Choudhary said.

On April 6, Nitish Kumar said the merger of the six parties of the erstwhile Janata Parivar was a "matter of a few days".

On April 5, Lalu Prasad said the merger of the six parties of the erstwhile Janata Parivar has been completed, and a formal announcement would be made soon.