RJD expels MP Pappu Yadav for six years claiming involvement in anti-party activities

Patna: The battle within the Rashtriya Janata Dal seems to have intensified with the expulsion of controversial MP Pappu Yadav. RJD MP J.P.N. Yadav said Mr Rajesh Ranjan, better known as Pappu Yadav, had been expelled for six years because of his involvement in anti-party activities. The party claimed Mr Ranjan had been hobnobbing with the BJP.

The decision was welcomed by most of the RJD leaders but what disturbed RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and other senior leaders was Mr Jitan Ram Manjhi’s attitude towards Mr Ranjan’s expulsion. Immediately after news of the expulsion broke, Mr Manjhi started indicating to him that he could join his political front, Hindustani Awam Morcha.

Mr Manjhi is expected to announce his political party soon. “This is their internal matter and I don’t want say anything on that, but I want to extend all support to Pappu Yadav. If he wants to join us, we will welcome him with open arms. My doors are always open for him,” Mr Ranjan attacked Mr Lalu Prasad and said he will claim symbol of RJD after merger of splinter parties into Janata Parivar.

“I have already written to the EC that I am against merger and in such condition people like me should be allowed to retain RJD election symbol ‘lantern’,” Mr Ranjan said.