Lalu postpones Patna rally

Lalu postpones Patna rally

Tuesday, December 21, 2004 (New Delhi):

RJD chief Lalu Prasad today decided to postpone his December 23 rally in view of the Election Commission's tough posture vis-à-vis enforcing the model code of conduct for the Assembly polls in Bihar.

"I have decided to postpone the proposed 'Garib Kisan Rally' to end the controversy arising out of the commission's directive against the RJD and filing of a case against me," he said.

The RJD chief's announcement comes on a day when the Election Commission's special observor will travel to Bihar to report on his alleged poll violations.

Lalu was caught on camera distributing Rs 100 notes to people in the Bihta village on Saturday.

Taking strong exception, the Election Commission had directed the Bihar police to register an FIR against the minister, accusing him of trying to bribe voters ahead of the Assembly elections.

"We have registered an FIR and have also asked the RJD why the symbol should not be revoked," says AN Jha, Deputy Election Commissioner.

The EC had also passed several strictures on Lalu's mega rally, directing the government to ensure that no trains or buses were diverted to bring in supporters and to also ensure that the public machinery is not used in electioneering.

On guard

Late last night, the Patna civic authorities brought down election banners of Lalu's brothers-in-law Sadhu and Subhash Yadav.

"Hundred jackals are after a lion. Lalu is a lion and will stay a lion," says Sadhu Yadav.

The Congress, which still has to firm up its alliance with the RDJ in Bihar, is playing it safe, saying that the minister will convince the EC that no law was broken. The NDA, however, says that it will not let the issue die down.

It remains to be seen how the latest controversy will go down with the voters just weeks before Bihar goes to the polls to elect a new government.

EC vs Lalu

For Lalu Yadav, this is not the first time he has found himself in a tangle with the Election Commission.

Incidents of booth capturing and violence in the Lok Sabha elections in Chhapra led to the countermanding of polls and a re-poll being ordered.

Hundred jackals are after a lion. Lalu is a lion and will stay a lion.
- Sadhu Yadav

Even in the 1995 Bihar elections, Lalu had found himself being repeatedly questioned by former Chief Election Commissioner TN Seshan.

Under the election law, all parties and candidates shall avoid scrupulous activities, which are corrupt practices and offences under the law such as bribing and intimidation of voters.

While Lalu has argued that he was not inducing voters, experts say that the RJD chief will have some explaining to do.

Whether it was the infamous sari incident in Lucknow or when an FIR was filed against the PDP leadership for allegedly intimidating voters, the question remains is the EC's bite as conclusive as its bark. (With PTI inputs)

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(With PTI inputs)