Patna, Mar 12 (IANS): Despite several leaders joining the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), the merger of the Upendra Kushwaha's Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP) with the Janata Dal (United) is expected on March 14.

Though the official announcement is yet to come from both the parties but sources said that the merger will be held in the presence of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

The RLSP has called a meeting of the state and district working committees on Saturday to discuss the proposal of merger and other points in the interest of Upendra Kushwaha and his supporters.

RLSP spokesperson Bhola Sharma said, "Our leader Upendra Kushwaha has called a meeting on March 13 to discuss all the points with national, state and districts working committee members. We are expecting a positive decision from him."

"When we met him on Friday, his body language was positive and he looked happy. He said that whatever will happen in future, it will be in our interest," Sharma said.

"It will be good for the RLSP supporters if the party merges with the JDU. The official announcement has not come yet," he added.

Reacting on the news of merger, JDU spokesperson Neeraj Kumar said, "Upendra Kushwaha is our old friend. He was a minister in the state as well as in Centre during the NDA government. We will wholeheartedly welcome him to the party."

Earlier in the day, 36 leaders of RLSP including state president Virendra Kushwaha and general secretary Nirmal Kushwaha joined the RJD.