TDP MPs meet Lalu for no-trust support

RJD supremo Lalu Prasad’s meeting with three MPs of Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on Tuesday created a controversy as the Opposition called it “contempt of court” and “violation of court’s directives” and demanded cancellation of his bail.

Lalu, convicted in four cases of animal husbandry scandal of 90s by the CBI courts, had been granted bail by the Jharkhand High Court for treatment on the condition that he would not indulge in political activities. After a surgery in Mumbai the RJD chief is in Patna.

Three MPs of TDP — Mohan Rao, Ravinder Kumar and Jaideo Galla — called on Lalu at the directive of TDP chief and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. Seeking RJD’s support for the no-confidence motion against the Narendra Modi Government to be moved in the Lok Sabha, they also handed over a letter to him.

Deputy CM and BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi on Wednesday alleged that Lalu was violating the conditions of the bail by indulging in political activities. Demanding cancellation of his bail, Modi said earlier Lalu met Congress leader Ashok Gehlot and now three TDP MPs came calling on him to discuss political issues. “The CBI should move for cancellation of the conditional bail to Lalu for regularly ignoring the bail conditions,” BJP leader demanded.

TDP MP Mohan Rao said his party has launched a campaign and seeking help of all non-NDA parties. He said they were traveling to different States and met RJD chief in this connection to seek support for the passage of the Andhra Pradesh Bill pending in Parliament. “Lalu ji has assured us all possible help and support of his party and we are confident he will help us,” Rao said after meeting RJD supremo at his official residence.

RJD legislator and Lalu’s close confident Bhola Yadav also confirmed that TDP MPs handed over a memorandum addressed to Tejashwi Prasad Yadav which will be discussed in the party after his return from abroad. Deputy CM Modi in a statement said the TDP as well as the RJD leaders have publicly confessed that political discussion took place and a memorandum was also received.

The memorandum titled “Andhra Pradesh Re-organisation Act Assurances: A saga of broken promises” was received by Lalu in absence of Tejashwi. Bhola Yadav said after discussion on this matter in the party, Tejashwi will direct RJD MPs in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha to support TDP’s moves.

TDP MPs said they also wanted to meet Chief Minister and JD(U) president Nitish Kumar to extend TDP’s support to his party on demand of special category status to Bihar but could not get appointment as he was busy with meetings.