Pappu Yadav blasts Lalu; to claim Lantern symbol after merger

Patna: Expelled for six years by the RJD, an angry Pappu Yadav today attacked Lalu Prasad and said he will claim symbol of RJD after merger of splinter parties into Janata Parivar.

“I have already written to the Election Commission two days back that I am against merger and in such condition people like me should be allowed to retain RJD election symbol ‘lantern',” Pappu Yadav told reporters here.  He said after holding rallies in Darbhanga on May 9 and in Madhepura his Lok Sabha constituency on May 11 he would organise a meeting of top leaders in Patna on May 15.  “May 16 onwards you will see a strong RJD with committed people like us,” he said.

Asked if RJD MLAs were with him, Pappu Yadav said “you should come to know about it on May 16.” Asked if he would lead the group, Pappu Yadav said leadership would be decided after mutual consultations.  The controversial RJD MP questioned his expulsion by RJD raising technical issues and said he would approach EC as well court against it.

“When Lalu Prasad and other leaders locked in merger of Janata Parivar have already declared Mulayam Singh Yadav as President of the new party, how can RJD on diktat of Lalu Prasad can expel me?” he asked.

“Only Mulayam Singh Yadav can now take such decision on expulsion of any leader,” he said, adding he would meet Mulayam Singh Yadav tomorrow.

A signed notice by RJD Chief General Secretary Ramdeo Bhandari today announced expulsion of Pappu Yadav for six years for anti-party activities.

Pappu Yadav spitted venom against RJD supremo Lalu Prasad and alleged he was shown the doors as Prasad saw in him threat to facilitate succession of his son on RJD top post.  “Putramoh me mujko nikal diya party se quanki unko lag raha tha ki mere rahte unka beta RJD ka utradhikari nahi bun sakega (he threw me out of the party for the sake of his son as he knew his son would not succeed him in RJD because of me),” the five-time MP said.

Pappu Yadav expressed apprehension that “conspiracy” could be hatched to kill him too.

The Madhepura MP alleged that Lalu Prasad's sons have been steamrolling senior RJD leaders including MPs and MLAs and he raised the issue several times before the RJD President.  “I dare Lalu Prasad to make public the three letters I have written to him in past one year pointing to highhandedness of his sons and they insulting party senior leaders,” an irate Pappu Yadav said.

Pappu Yadav said he was not prepared to accept Lalu Prasad's son as his leader.

“I accept Lalu Prasad as my leader and respect Rabri Devi as mother, but can't accept their children as my leader,” he said.

“In democracy, a son could step in the shoes of the father only after struggle and public acceptance. Rahul Gandhi is struggling among public... Akhilesh Yadav has been accepted by masses as leader after he toiled in the field with others,” Pappu said.

“But, children of Lalu Prasad wish to gain position without any struggle, which can never happen,” he said, alleging the RJD chief only likes sycophants and his focus was on furthering his family's interests.

On former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, who has announced launching of his own party soon and the BJP, both inviting him to join them, Pappu Yadav thanked them but said, “My future course of action will be decided by the public.”

In reply to a question of a possibility of he and Manjhi joining hands with the Congress, Pappu did not rule it out and said, “Isn't my wife Ranjeeta Ranjan in the Congress and strengthening the secular forces?”

The Madhepura MP strongly contested charges of indiscipline levelled against him and instead slammed Lalu for “slighting” and “denying due position and respect” to him.  “Despite being a five term MP, I was not made either the leader or the deputy leader of RJD in Lok Sabha,” he said.  

“Lalu Prasad had instructed Jay Prakash Narayan Yadav to see that I do not speak in the House,” he alleged.  

Pappu said no action was taken against other senior leaders of the party who had not toed the party line.  “I challenge Lalu Prasad to make public if he is still not in touch with Jitan Ram Manjhi despite moving with Nitish Kumar for merger of the Janata Parivar,” he claimed.  

Pappu asked “Why I have been singled out and expelled,” when former Union Minister Raghubansh Prasad Singh also spoke in favour of Manjhi on several occasions and alleged Lalu was not sincere in fighting communal forces.  “How can a person who shares stage with Narendra Modi for long during the marriage of his daughter, sincerely fight communal forces?” he wondered.

“You can check the Parliament records for my strong protests against love jihad or ghar wapsi,” he added.