Apparently stung by the ruling JD(U) and BJP’s repeated demand that the RJD cancel its proposed mega rally on August 27 in Patna in view of the flood fury in the State, RJD chief Lalu Prasad on Thursday asked, “Will the flood get over if I cancel the rally?”
“Will the cancellation of the rally lessen the flood fury in Bihar? Will the floods end if I cancel my rally?” Mr. Prasad asked while addressing mediapersons in Ranchi, where he had gone to appear in a special CBI court in connection with a fodder scam case.
Neither Congress president Sonia Gandhi, nor party vice-president Rahul Gandhi will participate in the proposed BJP bhagao, Desh bachao (oust BJP, save the country) rally. BSP chief Mayawati too has expressed her unwillingness to join rally organized as a show of strength of all non-BJP and secular parties.
However, Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Bannerjee and JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav are said to have confirmed their participation.
“Mamataji and Sharad Yadavji are coming…I’m in touch with Farooq Abdullah and Sharad Pawar for their participation in the rally...I’ve invited all like-minded parties with same ideology,” he said. He also alleged that the BJP and JD(U) have deliberately fixed PM Narendra Modi’s programme in Bihar on August 26 “in the name of flood review”.