Lalu Prasad has been re-elected as national president of the Rashtriya Janata Dal, a party he formed by dividing the Janata Dal, on Saturday. Speaking at the national council of the party after his re-election, the 78-year-old leader said that a survey is underway to identify potential candidates for the next assembly elections in Bihar.
"A survey is being conducted to select the candidates from among you folks. I will come to a final conclusion after talking to Tejashwi. I have transferred the baton to Tejashwi and request you all to leave no stone unturned in making sure that he comes to power through the elections," he said.
The elder leader looked visibly elated with his son, who is 36 years old, and said: "I receive regular feedback from him. He is always on tour, going to the remotest corners of the state. I get to know about his tours many times only after he returns." He also heartily thanked his wife Rabri Devi, who had made her political debut when a CBI charge sheet in the fodder scam had compelled him to resign as chief minister of Bihar.
"I am thankful to her for being an anchor. She took care of all things when I was unwell. My health has been fragile of late, and she is the one who takes care of me," replied Prasad.
Also read: ADR moves SC challenging EC's Bihar voter-list revision drive
Old age and poor health appeared to have worn down the charismatic leader, who addressed in his chair, weakly, but maintaining, "I will not let the party down. I am there to do whatever is needed for my workers, without a care for my own well being."
Delegates from distant states, including RJD's Kerala unit chief MV Shreyams Kumar, attended the ceremony. Prasad appealed to his party colleagues from beyond Bihar to "contribute to our strength as we move towards the assembly polls".
Follow us
