Lalu Prasad Yadav pulls up MLAs for grabbing official bungalows

Patna: Amid reports of some RJD and JD(U) MLAs grabbing official bungalows here of their choice, Lalu Prasad on Tuesday denounced such behaviour and reminded them of the "great responsibility on their shoulders to honour the huge mandate."

"Why is there a scramble for the legislators' residences? Everybody will get their house in accordance with the rule," the RJD chief told a party meeting here.

"World will be watching us ... We have to understand the responsibility endowed on us by the great voters.

"People have given us massive mandate and we have to fulfil the commitment of service to the voters at all costs," Prasad, who was flanked by deputy chief minister son Tejaswi Yadav and other senior RJD leaders, said.

According to media reports, many newly elected RJD and JD(U) MLAs had "claimed" bungalows of their choice even without any allotment.

The reports named RJD MLAs Arun Kumar Yadav and Anil Kumar Yadav and JD(U) MLA RN Singh who had allegedly removed the nameplates of the occupants of the bungalows and put up their own to claim their chosen houses.

Prasad recounted his own experience of staying on for four months in the same peon's quarter in Veterinary college that he inhabited then even after becoming Bihar chief minister in 1990.

"I even held 'Janata Darbar' (interface with the general people) there during that period," he added.

Prasad cautioned RJD legislators and other elected party representatives of sting operations.

"You should be watchful of people wearing ties, luring you with offers and indulging in sting operation to tarnish image of the party and the (Grand Alliance) government," he told party leaders.

He also asked the legislators and MPs to be watchful while speaking over mobile phones also.

"Even if you say yes yes ... The speaker (the person on the other end) would record the conversation and give it to some mediapersons to run (as audio record)," he said.

"Lalu has seen many sinister games played by vested interests," the three-time former chief minister added.