Farmers Movement Archive

Lalu likely to unveil 6-tonne lantern at RJD office in Patna

PATNA: The entry of outsiders to the RJD headquarters has been restricted for the time being. Reason: RJD chief and former chief minister Lalu Prasad is likely to unveil a newly built lantern, the party’s election symbol, on the office premises. The RJD supremo is likely to depose before the CBI court in connection with a case related to fraudulent withdrawal of money from the Banka district treasury, an offshoot of the multi-crore animal husbandry scam, on November 23. The court had issued summons asking the accused to appear in person on the next date of hearing. Sources close to the family said the entry of visitors to the RJD office had been restricted as he would also unveil the 6-tonne lantern. RJD spokesperson Mrintunjay Tiwari told this reporter, “Lalu ji is coming to Patna to depose before the court. He has always adhered to the court’s directive.” Another RJD functionary said Lalu would stay in Patna for a day or two after his appearance in the court. “The lantern, which has been built on Tejashwi Yadav’s initiative, may be unveiled on the occasion,” he added. Sources claimed that the issue of caste census may be raised by the RJD again after the party supremo’s visit. The issue remained under wraps during the byelection held to Kusheshwar Asthan and Tarapur assembly seats. Both the seats went to the ruling JD (U). Lalu, in a recent statement, said the country needed an aggressive agitation on the issue of caste-wise enumerations in the country like the farmers’ stir over the farm bills. “We are not ready to budge on the issue of caste-based census,” said another functionary. Earlier, the RJD chief had visited the state to campaign for the byelection in favour of the party nominees. However, the RJD candidates had to bite the dust in the recent held bypolls.

The Times of India

2021-11-22

Patna