New Delhi/Patna, Nov. 1: The Janata Dal United and the Rashtriya Lok Dal today indicated their reluctance to attend the Samajwadi Party's silver jubilee show in Lucknow on Saturday, putting a question mark on the formation of a Bihar-like grand alliance in Uttar Pradesh.

The reluctance was apparent after Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, also JDU president, held a meeting with senior party leader Sharad Yadav here. Officially, JDU secretary-general and spokesperson K.C. Tyagi, who also attended the meeting, said the issue was discussed but a final decision was yet to be taken.

"We discussed the invitation from SP leader Shivpal Yadav to attend the November 5 silver jubilee function in Lucknow. A final decision would be taken after discussing the issue with the RLD," Tyagi said after the meeting. He said the JDU has so far not received any formal invitation from SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav.

Both JDU and RLD sources, however, said they were not keen to attend the show given the factional fight in Mulayam's family.

"The JDU does not want to be with a faction of the SP," Bihar JDU chief Basishtha Narayan Singh said. "Let the SP family resolve their fight first. We can then take a call," another leader said on condition of anonymity.

JDU insiders said Nitish had still not forgiven Mulayam for his last-minute change of mind on a proposed "grand alliance" ahead of Bihar elections last year. "Mulayam had not only ditched the grand alliance but also fielded candidates in Bihar to harm the RJD-JDU-Congress mahagathbandhan. Nitishji has still not forgotten the betrayal," said a JDU leader.

Sources in the RLD too said their leader Ajit Singh had developed cold feet after discussing the issue with Nitish. The JDU and RLD have formed an alliance to contest the polls in Uttar Pradesh.

"Mulayam is known for his U-turns. Our leader (Ajit) fears he may ditch once again," said an RLD leader. The leader indicated Ajit could be out of the country on November 5.

Shivpal Yadav had flown to Delhi to personally invite JDU and RLD leaders to the SP function, tipped to be projected as a show of unity for the divided Janata parivar and the first step towards formation of an anti-BJP front.

Initially, both the JDU and RLD appeared excited over the SP offer. "Formation of an anti-BJP front is the need of the hour," Tyagi had said.

If the JDU and RLD stay away, it would be a personal jolt for Shivpal, who is eyeing to score over nephew Akhilesh Yadav, the UP chief minister, in the factional fight. Shivpal had intended to exhibit his clout by getting Nitish, RJD chief Lalu Prasad and former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda on the same stage .

Mulayam was in Delhi today, closeted with party MP Amar Singh, accused by Akhilesh of being the root cause of the fight in the SP family. But, sources said, he made no effort to meet Nitish and invite him to Lucknow. Nitish was in Delhi today ostensibly to discuss his government's new prohibition law with his lawyers as the issue is scheduled to come up before the Supreme Court.