Lalu Yadav furthers Rahul's plans; demands reservation for Muslims

Patna: RJD president Lalu Prasad on Tuesday furthered Rahul Gandhi and Congress' alleged plan to go against the spirit of Constitution and give reservation on the basis of religion.

The RJD supremo, who is out on bail on health grounds, said he was in favour of extending reservation benefits to Muslims.

He alleged that the ruling BJP at the Centre wanted to do away with reservations by scrapping the Constitution.

"The BJP is against the provision of reservations made in the Constitution. Hence, it wants to do away with both", Prasad told reporters at the legislative council premises.

The ailing septuagenarian, who nowadays prefers to stay indoors, was attending a swearing-in ceremony where his wife Rabri Devi took oath as an MLC.

Others who took oath included Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Prasad's arch rival who heads the JD(U).

Altogether 11 people were elected unopposed to the Upper House of legislature in Bihar in the biennial polls held earlier this year.

On BJP's charge that if voted to power, the Congress, RJD and other allies would "steal" reservations meant for OBCs and divert these to Muslims, Prasad said, "but should not Muslims get the benefit of reservations? (Aarakshan to milna hi chahiye Musalmanon ko)".

He also said the BJP was indulging in scaremongering (bhadka rahe hain) by raising the bogey of "jungle raj" at election rallies.

He also mocked the "abki baar 400 paar" claim of Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying "woh khud hi paar ho gaye hain (he is on his way out). The poll outcome will be in our favour".