India heading towards dictatorship — Lalu Prasad Yadav

Patna: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) president Lalu Prasad on Wednesday mounted heavy attacks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his political ally, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar before leaving for Ranchi to surrender before a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court.

Last week, the Jharkhand High Court rejected his plea for another extension of provisional bail on health grounds and instead asked him to surrender by August 30.

“The country is heading towards dictatorship. Yesterday, five intellectuals were arrested, now anybody could be arrested anytime. This has paved way for proclamation of emergency in the country,” Prasad remarked on being pressed by the media.

He also questioned the reported statement by the prime minister that he could be killed.

“The prime minister looks terrified. This has not gone down well his remark that he could assassinated,” Prasad said.

He attacked Kumar over what he called the fast-deteriorating law and order situation in the state, likening the chief minister’s attitude with that of the proverbial Nero who was playing a flute while Rome was burning.

“There is neither law nor order in Bihar. It’s total anarchy that prevails across the state. Nitish Kumar’s condition, at presently, is that of typical Nero who was playing flute while Rome was in flames,” he said.

He accused the Modi government of harassing him and his family for political reasons.

“All the cases registered against me and my family are politically motivated aimed at keeping us away from electoral process,” Prasad alleged.

He claimed innocence, hoping to get justice one day.

“I have full faith in the judiciary and will get justice one day,” he asserted.

Replying to a query he said, he was not fond of staying in hospital.

“I had got provisional bail on health grounds. I used the bail period to treat myself in various hospitals in Delhi, Mumbai and Ranchi but still am not fully cured.”

Prasad reached Patna from Mumbai hospital last week after his plea for further extension of provisional bail was rejected by the court.

Prasad, who suffers from multiple health complications, was admitted to the Asian Heart Institute in Mumbai, undergoing treatment under the observation of doctors.

He has been diagnosed with at least 15 different kinds of disease which include Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, peri-anal abscess, cardiac problems and acute kidney injury. He has been convicted in three fodder scam cases and served various jail terms.