Sharad conspired to send Lalu to jail, alleges Fatmi

Tribune News Service

Madhubani (Bihar), April 22

Former Union Minister Mohammad Ali Ashraf Fatmi, who recently resigned from the RJD, alleged that Sharad Yadav procured an RJD ticket even if he had facilitated jail doors to RJD chief Lalu Prasad in connection with fodder scam by hatching conspiracy against him.

Fatmi said: “Lalu ji was not guilty of fodder scam but he was implicated by hatching conspiracy with the CBI against him in 1997 and Sharad ji was behind it. Neither Nitish ji (Bihar CM), nor BJP nor Shivanand Tiwari ji (RJD vice-president) had implicated Lalu ji in fodder scam. But RJD allotted party ticket to Sharad ji from Madhepura.”

Fatmi, who remained RJD MP from Darbhanga four times, said: “I was the first one to inform Lalu that conspiracy was being hatched against him and that he might have to go to jail so get Rabri ji ready and announce her as the Bihar CM. I had also visited him at his residence at midnight in 1997.”

After being ignored by the Janta Dal (United), former JD-U president and NDA convener Sharad formed his own party Loktantrik Janata Dal (LJD). But after mahagathbandhan’s seat-sharing pacts, Sharad was fielded on RJD symbol from Madhepura with announcement that his LJD would merge with RJD after Lok Sabha elections.

On BSP symbol, Fatmi had filed nomination from Madhubani constituency but he was to withdraw in the interest of mahagathbandhan as his final aim was to defeat BJP at any cost. “I would not rejoin RJD after being insulted by Tejashwi ji. I had served RJD for 30 years since its inception which was more than his (Tejashwi’s) age,” said Fatmi, one of the tallest leaders of Mithlanchal region of Bihar.