Lalu Prasad returns to Patna after 3.5 years

Patna: After almost 3.5 years, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad returned to Patna on Sunday evening. His sons, Tej Pratap and Tejashwi, went to the Patna airport to welcome Lalu. However, the celebrations were reportedly cut short.

Tej Pratap claimed that Bihar RJD President Jagadanand Singh manhandled him and prevented him from spending time with his father. Tej Pratap alleged he was not allowed to meet his father at the airport. He wanted to take his father to his house for some time but could not. He also blamed MLC Sunil Kumar Singh and Sanjay Yadav (political advisor of Tejashwi) for not allowing him to meet his father.

Tej Pratap called Singh an “RSS agent” and said that he would ensure the latter’s ouster from the party. “Till then, I shall have nothing to do with RJD,” Tej Pratap said.

“Today was such a big occasion of happiness. Everyone had to be united. But even on such an occasion, we were insulted,” he added. Tej Pratap also said that he would take a “big step” soon.

Lalu Prasad had been sick for nearly six months and was in Delhi after his release from jail in April. He was incarcerated in December 2017 after being convicted in the fodder scam. He was recuperating at Delhi’s AIIMS.

Tej Pratap decorated his official residence with flowers and balloons and wrote “Welcome Father” on the gate.

Before leaving the house to welcome father Lalu Prasad at the airport, Tej Pratap told Aaj Tak: “The lion of Bihar has returned.” Tej Pratap also took a jibe at Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and BJP MP Sushil Modi, saying that they should also reach Patna airport to welcome Lalu.

“My father is the lion of Bihar. He has come back to purify Bihar. Nitish Kumar and Sushil Modi, who are my father’s opponents, should go to Patna airport to welcome him,” he said.

After leaving Patna airport, Lalu Prasad reached the official residence of former Chief Minister Rabri Devi at 10, Circular Road, where hundreds of RJD workers and supporters were present. This is where Tej Pratap staged a protest against Jagadanand Singh. Tej Pratap said he would teach RJD a lesson. He also alleged that Lalu was being held hostage by Jagdanand Singh, Sunil Singh and Sanjay Yadav.

Lalu Prasad was wearing a green cap and green gamchha (towel) around his neck and sat in the front seat of the car.

A few days ago, Lalu had instructed RJD leaders and workers to wear green caps and towels. He said that it would be the identity of the RJD.

Lalu on Sunday received flak from the Congress after allegedly using a Bihari slang against a Congress leader. His opponents called him ‘anti-Dalit’ for a remark against Congress’ Bhakt Charan Das.