From jail, Lalu Prasad plans strategy to launch agitation on Jan 6

PATNA: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav, who is currently lodged in Ranchi's Bisra Munda jail, has planned to launch an agitation, which will be announced on January 6. 

Lalu's followers, who visited him at Birsa Munda Jail in Ranchi, said the former Bihar chief minister has chalked out a plan to take on his opponents. 

Lalu is lodged in jail after a special CBI court found him guilty of financial embezzlement in the notorious 970-crore fodder scam. The quantum of punishment will be announced on January 3.

He has already been convicted in another fodder scam case four years ago and spent two months in jail before being given bail.

The RJD chief is unlikely to be present in the court during his sentencing, informed his son and former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejaswi Yadav.

RJD, after the conviction of Lalu Prasad Yadav, is in fix for its next leader. 

Commenting on the issue, Tejashwi Yadav said, "I have seen it all, but one has to accept the challenges and shoulder the responsibilities." 

"Opponents think Lalu Yadav is finished after going to jail. They are hugely mistaken. People of Bihar are outraged, they will give a strong reply to this. Lalu ji would have been ‘Raja Harishchandra’ for BJP if he had allied with them," Tejashwi said in a reference to Nitish Kumar.

Meanwhile, there was low-key New Year celebration at Lalu's residence.

The green colour iron gates of 10 Circular Road remained closed. None of the RJD activists and supporters who thronged the residence of former Chief Ministers Lalu Prasad and his wife Rabri Devi could get in.

A Rashtriya Janata Dal leader, Bhai Virender, said there was no question of any celebration in Lalu Prasad`s absence.

According to Lalu Prasad`s staff, only a few RJD leaders were allowed into the house. They met Rabri Devi and their sons Tej Pratap Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav.

Rabri Devi told the media that her family was not celebrating New Year as Lalu Prasad was not in Patna. "I have greeted the people on this occasion."

Normally, Lalu Prasad used to tell security personnel to open the main gate on New Year day for people to meet him. In his inimitable style, he would gift a red rose to Rabri Devi.