Ramkripal quits all posts at Rashtriya Janata Dal

Patna: The Rashtriya Janata Dal’s rift spilled out into the open on Saturday, with party chief Lalu Prasad Yadav’s top aide Ramkripal Yadav quitting all party posts in protest against denial of ticket for Pataliputra and Mr Lalu Yadav’s defiant daughter Misa Bharti announcing she would contest from there.

Ms Bharti, nominated as the party’s candidate in Pataliputra, hit back at the outgoing RJD general secretary and long time family loyalist for describing her efforts to persuade him to stay in the party as “emotional atyachar” and “political drama”. Senior RJD legislator Bhai Birendra and Rabri Devi,  also joined her.

Rejecting Mr Ramkripal Yadav’s contention that the RJD chief “compromised on principles”, Ms Bharti, 37, said that it was Mr Ramkripal Yadav, 56, who indulged in “political drama” by refusing to meet her at his Delhi residence on Friday. Ms Bharti said she spent over five hours at his residence and was even willing to sacrifice her candidature for him, but no longer.

“I always respected him as my uncle, but he pained me by describing my efforts for reconciliation with such words. I will, therefore, stick to the party’s decision of nominating me for Pataliputra. I will contest from Pataliputra,” she said.