RJD chief lalu Prasad created sorts of flutter in the political spectrum by appointing a self styled tantrik as his party’s spokesman but the Opposition mounted attack on him for invoking witchcraft in political affairs.
In course of organisational election, lalu announced the appointment of Chitrakoot based Shankar Charan Tripathi as RJD’s national spokesman. Tripathi had earlier been presenting programme on Jyotish and forecasts on a private news channel. Forecasting break up of JD(U)’s alliance with the BJP very soon, lalu declared, “I will defeat my enemies with the help of tantra-mantra. Tripathi will help me to counter the attacks from extremists.”
However, Tripathi who was earlier a deputy commissioner sales tax in Uttar Pradesh had been accused of sexually exploiting his daughter-in-law. She had filed case with women police station at Faizabad (UP).
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar refused to comment on tantrik but Deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi sarcastically retaliated, “lalu should have appointed tantrik as party chief and not just spokesman. He spent his entire life in making jokes and nothing serious can be expected from him.”
It is believed that lalu discarded wearing white kurta and now dons colourful attire at the advice of Tripathi and also changed the direction of the entrance.
“Jail is in his kundali and no tantrik can save him,” said JD(U) spokesman Sanjay Singh.
lalu’s elder son Tej Pratap Yadav too has deep faith in tantra-mantra and had organised a variety of jaaps (hymns) when he was Health Minister to remain in power and escape political odds. He had brought some Tantriks from different places and himself sat with them during jaaps. He also loves to dress like lord Krishna and plays flute donning colourful dhoti and headgear.
lalu’s another off the cuff remark invited sharp criticism. He said Nitish’s Samadhi will come up in Rajgir, the favourite destination of the CM. Nitish reacted, “I will be fortunate if my Samadhi is made in Rajgir which is a historical place. I wish lalu ji’s statement comes true.”
But the leaders of JD(U) and BJP were harsh. Neeraj said, “People will pay floral tributes at the Samadhi of Nitish but nobody will go close to lalu’s Samadhi which will be in a jail. Union Minister of State for Health Ashwini Kumar Choubey commented, “lalu should himself decide where his Samadhi should be because people will send such corrupt leader to political crematorium.”