Patna: The BJP on Sunday sought to run down the claim of its rival alliance for a mandate in the assembly polls stating that burning of effigy of Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad sounded RJD`s `death knell`.
Claiming those who burnt Prasad`s effigy were RJD youth workers, BJP National Vice-President Kiran Ghai said"it was only some years ago that no worker or leader
dared to stand in front of him (Prasad) or question him on any issue."
"But the RJD workers were so disenchanted with him that they burnt his effigy right in front of the party office yesterday," Ghai said. A group youths, whose party affiliations are yet to be officially confirmed, yesterday burnt the effigy of Prasad outside the party office for allegedly neglecting them in the selection process of party nominees and claimed that they have shifted from the party to ruling JD(U).
The burning of Prasad`s effigy was the latest blow to him and the RJD in the run up to the assembly polls after a spate of desertion by senior leaders and his own brothers in-law, the BJP leader said.
The time-tested Muslim-Yadav factor too has crumbled much to the discomfort of the RJD `boss`, Ghai said. "Now, he is left with himself, better half Rabri Devi and son Tejaswee".
Ghai expressed confidence that the NDA will return to power for a second successive term by riding on the slogan of `Vikas (development) vs `Vinaas` (destruction) and 15 years rule vs five years of governance.
PTI
