Bihar’s politics seems to be heading for a khadi-ripping clash inside the wrestling ring. RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, infuriated at the ruling NDA leaders repeatedly suggesting that he has turned too old, has invited them for a wrestling contest with him, and many of them seem ready.
The former Bihar strongman, who turned 65 on June 11, feels so affronted by sarcastic references made by his political rivals about his advancing years that he has thrown an open challenge for a personal wrestling contest with them at Patna’s Gandhi Maidan. As he now tours across Bihar trying to reconnect with the people ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha polls and the subsequent Assembly polls, Mr Yadav keeps reminding his audiences that he is young and strong enough both politically and physically.
“They say Lalu has turned old and is now incapable of leading Bihar. Does anyone turn old at 65? Do I look old?” asked Mr Yadav rhetorically in Madhubani district.
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Man held outside nitish house
AGE CORRESPONDENT
PATNA, JULY 9
A security scare swept through Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar’s official residence on Monday when a man carrying six live cartridges was held and stopped from entering the premises where Mr Kumar was begun his weekly “janata durbar”.
Jitendra Kumar Rai, about 35, was detained by the chief minister’s security personnel after they found six live cartridges in his possession during a routine frisking of visitors queued up to attend the weekly programme. Hailing from the western district of Siwan, Rai told police that he was a former district board vice-president there and had come to attend the janata durbar at to have his grievance redressed by the CM. Rai was immediately handed over to the Secretariat police station.