New Delhi: Former Rajya Sabha member and Lalu Prasad’s brother-in-law, Subhash Yadav, on Thursday (13 February) said that during the Rashtriya Janata Dal government in Bihar, the party president had links with gangs involved in kidnappings for ransom.
He said that kidnapping deals were carried out at the Chief Minister’s House. Yadav, the younger brother of Lalu Prasad’s wife, Rabri Devi, made these allegations while addressing journalists. He said that Lalu Yadav used to get people kidnapped and order their release. Following these allegations, Subhash Yadav’s brother, Sadhu Yadav, has now come forward.
Allegations baseless: Sadhu
Sadhu Yadav termed the allegations as baseless and unfounded, saying, “He (Subhash Yadav) should be asked what he was doing there. Nitish Kumar has been in power for 20 years, and RJD was in power for 15 years, so why did he open his eyes after 35 years? It seems he is making these statements to gain something from a political party or to secure a post.”
Sadhu Yadav added, “I had already told Lalu Yadav not to pay attention to him (Subhash). People often considered me to be like him. Sadhu-Subhash had become synonymous. He used to be involved in all the activities, and I was considered a partner without any reason.”
On the other hand, Subhash Yadav also alleged, “Actually, it was I who tried to stop my brother-in-law (Lalu Yadav) from working like this, but in those days, he was drunk on power and did not listen to anyone. The RJD would have broken many times if it were not for the anti-defection law, which was made stricter by the late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.” Subhash Yadav described his nephew Tejashwi Yadav as a ‘barsaati frog’ and predicted a huge victory for the NDA in the Bihar assembly elections to be held later this year. The RJD has retaliated to this.
RJD denies allegations
RJD spokesperson Shakti Yadav responded to Subhash Yadav’s statement, saying that no one would believe the criticism of a person who defamed their party president and is now making such statements at the behest of the ruling party. He said, “Our supremo (Lalu Yadav)’s statement has upset the ruling coalition, so baseless allegations are being made. But our leader is an institution in himself. Many of his opponents and allies have learned a lot from him. His personality is so great that it cannot be diminished by such baseless allegations.”
