lalu's sons, daughter may fight elections

Being convicted and debarred from contesting any election, RJD boss lalu Prasad would not be contesting the polls himself but at least three of his children might be seen in the poll arena in October-November Bihar Assembly elections. lalu has clearly hinted that his children would fight the elections. “Bal bachcha chunav nahi ladega to kya gai, bhains charayega,” (will my children graze buffaloes if not contest polls), he said in his inimitable style.

Indications are that apart from his both sons Tej Pratap and Tejaswi Yadav, eldest daughter Misa Bharti will contest Assembly polls. Misa had tried her luck at lok Sabha election from Pataliputra constituency but was defeated by Ram Kripal Yadav, a lalu loyalist who parted ways when party supremo decided to field his daughter and he joined BJP.

Party sources said that elder son Tej Pratap would be fielded from Mahua Assembly seat while younger Tejaswi may opt for Raghopur. In a bid to launch Tej Pratap, lalu took him to Mahua on Saturday where the Yuva RJD workers raised slogans in favour of demanding that he be fielded from the constituency. Tej Pratap also declared that Jageshwar Rai, who was RJD’s nominee last time, has requested him to contest.

Mahua seat was won by JD(U)’s Ravindra Rai who switched loyalty to Jitan Ram Manjhi and was in news recently for wife-beating. Former CM Rabri Devi has contested from Raghopur in 2010 but had lost to JD(U)’s Satish Kumar. It is not known which constituency Misa would be interested to contest. Since Rabri is a member of legislative Council, she may not contest the Assembly elections. If lalu gives them permission and ticket, it will be a maiden attempt by the two sons, who are active in politics for the last few years, and also the first attempt by Misa, who was defeated in last parliamentary election.

“My children will contest the election and I don’t think anyone will have problem with this, declared lalu when asked precisely about his two sons and daughter likely to be fielded by the party. RJD’s Madhepura MP Pappu Yadav had to part ways with lalu last month over the controversy as to who will be the political heir of lalu. The RJD supremo had admonished Pappu saying only his sons would be his heirs and not Pappu.