PTI

New Delhi, May 18: With Congress making it clear that it would discuss government formation only with pre-poll allies (of which RJD is not a part), high-profile railway minister Lalu Prasad's chances of retaining a Cabinet berth appears remote.

Explaining the term "pre-poll allies", AICC general secretary Digvijay Singh on Monday said, "Along with Congress, we have NCP, DMK, IUML, Trinamool Congress, National Conference, Kerala Congress and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha. These are the allies."

Singh also referred to Sunday's statement of party media department in-charge Janardan Dwivedi, who had categorically said that Congress will discuss the issue of government formation with its pre-poll allies.

"Pre-poll allies as Janardan Dwivedi has indicated does not include RJD at the moment," Singh said, when asked about Prasad's party.

Acknowledging that Prasad is a member of the UPA government "as of now", the Congress leader was quick to add, "he (Prasad) did not consider us (Congress) strong enough for a pre-poll alliance."

RJD, the main opposition party in Bihar, contested the Lok Sabha election in alliance with Ram Vilas Paswan's LJP while Congress fought on its own in the state.