The seat sharing pact between the Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Lok Janshakti Party in Bihar for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections has upset the Congress leadership as well some members of the RJD.
Angry at the prospect of not getting a ticket for the polls, RJD's Member of Parliament Sadhu Yadav made his displeasure clear on Tuesday, claiming that party chief and his brother-in-law Lalu Prasad Yadav had bowed down to LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan.
After openly declaring revolt against Lalu, Sadhu Yadav met Congress leader Sushil Kumar Shinde, fuelling speculations that he wanted to joint the Congress.
In an interview with rediff.com's Onkar Singh, Sadhu Yadav outlines his political plans.
Did you know that Lalu was so upset with you that he put his faith in Paswan instead of you?
Is he upset? This is the first time I am hearing that. As far as I am concerned, everything is all right.
Lalu has threatened to expel members who revolt against him. Would you like to comment on that?
What can he do? People have already left the party, what can he do about that now?
What exactly happened in Bihar?
Rashtriya Janata Dal samajik nayay ki party hai (RJD is a party seeking social justice). They should have encouraged people who have fought for the welfare of the poor and downtrodden. He (Lalu) has sidelined people who have been carrying the banner of the party. And he has been misled by elements who do not wish well. You might say that I have decided to raise the voice of the people from Betiya (The constituency for which he is seeking a ticket.)
What transpired in the meeting between you and Sushil Kumar Shinde?
After I held a press conference on Tuesday, I got an offer from Shinde, and he promised to take up the matter with Congress president Sonia Gandhi. He assured me that the Congress' doors are open for me and my colleagues.
During our meeting, I told him that he would have to solve the problem of my colleagues. And I am sure he is going to do something about it. We have put forth our conditions. Once they are satisfactorily resolved, we will meet Sonia Gandhi and take the matter forward.
Lalu's brother has claimed that the RJD chief gave you too much importance and ignored his own family members?
Thos who join politics definitely aspire for a better deal. The person you are talking about is a nice man. Why ask me to comment on this matter?
Do you think you will win the election this time?
Yes, I will win this time too. Last time, I won by more than two lakh votes.
But last time you had Lalu on your side?
That is correct. But irrespective of that, I am going to win by a thumping margin this time.
