Patna, April 3 (IANS): Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday denied that the six parties of the erstwhile Janata Parivar will meet in Delhi on April 5 to formally finalise their long-proposed merger.

"No date has been fixed or finalised for a meeting of six parties of the erstwhile Janata Parivar to finalise the merger. There is no question of an April 5 meeting," he told media at a function here.

"RJD chief Lalu Prasad is in Patna... how such a meeting could take place on Sunday? It is not possible," said Nitish Kumar, adding that the date for such a meeting would be decided as per the convenience of all.

Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav will decide the next date of meeting, he said.

Reports said the six parties, including Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal-United, will announce their merger on Sunday in Delhi after a meeting of their leaders.

The meeting was expected to be attended by Nitish Kumar, Mulayam Singh, JD-U chief Sharad Yadav, Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad and representatives from the Indian National Lok Dal and Samajwadi Janata Party.

Mulayam Singh, who has planned the proposed merger, is tipped to be the chairman of the new umbrella entity.