Copyright news18
JCBs showering flowers, women coming out of their homes with garlands, and scores flocking to the windows for a selfie. Danapur came to a standstill as Lalu Prasad Yadav hit the campaign trail for the first time in the run-up to Bihar’s election. The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) patriarch was campaigning for Ritlal Yadav, the party candidate who is in jail in an extortion case. Up against Ritlal is Ram Kirpal Yadav, a former close associate of Lalu, who joined the BJP. Lalu’s road show was in complete contrast to the one Prime Minister Narendra Modi held in Patna a day ago. There was limited waving to the crowd, no sun roof to look out from, and no shaking hands. The media interaction was also through Digha candidate Divya Gautam, who sat with him in the vehicle. “Lalu-ji’s message is very clear. Tejashwi Yadav will be the next chief minister. This response is proof,” Gautam told CNN-News18. She took on PM Modi when asked if RJD “had put a katta on Congress to declare Tejashwi the CM face”. “The NDA is rattled. Bihar is demanding a change,” Gautam said as Lalu Yadav nodded before going back to his resting position in the minivan. Women wait to garland Lalu Prasad Yadav in Danapur. (News18) Lalu Yadav limited his sound byte to thanking the janta. “All conspiracies, allegations are being responded to by the people. Janta Mahan Hoti Hai, Janta Janardan Hoti Hai,” he said, pointing to the crowd of RJD supporters who were falling over each other to catch a glimpse as the 15-kilometer-long road show crawled from Digha Nahar to Khagaul in Danapur. NDA leaders, however, questioned how someone on bail on medical grounds could campaign. “I hope his health is better than before but this does raise questions. How can someone who is out on bail on medical grounds be campaigning in this manner?” Union minister Chirag Paswan questioned. Lalu Yadav came out of jail in 2022 after securing bail in a fodder scam case. The last time he hit the campaign trail was for daughter Rohini Acharya in the Saran Lok Sabha polls.
