India: RJD parliamentarian revolts over merger

Patna: The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) headed by Lalu Prasad has plunged into serious trouble over the issue of a merger of six parties of the erstwhile Janata family.

A senior party parliamentarian Rajesh Ranjan, popularly known as Pappu Yadav, has revolted against the party leadership and also threatened to quit if the merger takes place.

He alleged the party leaders were being humiliated in the name of a merger. The RJD has four members in the Lok Sabha.

“I am totally against the merger and will quit the day it formally takes place,” Yadav, who represents Madhepura seat in the parliament, told a rally in Katihar district on Tuesday evening. He alleged the RJD chief was opting for the coalition since the latter knew he could not become the chief minister again.

The RJD chief has been disqualified from contesting elections after being convicted by the court in the million dollar fodder scam.

Yadav also took potshot at his party boss for promoting what he termed as “dynastic politics”.

“He is trying to promote dynastic politics saying a son is the natural heir to his father. He must understand this is not a monarchy but democracy where such issues are settled by the voters,” Yadav said.

He further attacked the RJD chief describing him as a “Janus-faced” politician.

“Those opposing Narendra Modi in public have been regularly inviting him to family functions,” Yadav said, in an oblique reference to Prasad who had invited Modi during the wedding reception of his youngest daughter Raj Laxami.

Modi also attended the Tilak ceremony of Mulayam Singh Yadav’s grand nephew Tej Pratap with whom the marriage of Prasad’s daughter was solemnised.

Yadav at his rallies has been constantly opposing the proposed merger of his party while openly favouring former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi who, he said, represents the same deprived class, which is the core vote base of the RJD.

“How can this merger be complete then without Manjhi?” he asks.