I want to be the prime minister: Lalu

Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav has said in an interview that he wants to become the prime minister of India.

Outlining his future plans in an interview to the television channel NDTV, Lalu said:  'I want to become the prime minister for sure. But, I will not quarrel for it.  No matter which corner of the country I go, people always greet me, 'Oh Lalu, aye Lalu.' It's the greatest of blessings, people love me.'

Excerpts from an interview:

The fodder scam, is it a frame up?

Yes that is a frame up. It is pending before the court.

If you had not been implicated in the fodder scam, if you had continued as the chief minister, would things have been very different?

That was a propaganda against me to tarnish my image that Lalu Prasad Yadav is so arrogant and he is not going to resign.

Were you arrogant when you were chief minister?

No, no, no... Never.

All right. Let's look at the other stand, during the time you were the chief minister, criminalisation of politics reached an all-time level.

That was the creation of the media. I was not doing anything to disturb social justice -- that the upper caste brothers and people ruled state. My social justice movement there ruled the ruling class. So they created havoc that Lalu Prasad Yadav is not for us. Lalu created caste and creed in the state, crimes, kidnapping everything… But today in Bihar you will find dacoity, murder, atrocity on Dalits and women.

But don't you think Nitish is popular as a chief minister, all polls suggest that he is very popular.

He is my junior. I know him very well, He is nothing, and he is a zero.

Zero in what way?

He has no mass support.

Why do you think you lost the elections?

Secular forces like Ram Vilas Paswanji, CPI, CPI-M, RJD, Mayawatiji, Mulayam Singh Yadav split the votes. Due to that they won….

But you lost. You know that?

Yes I lost, but by a thin margin. Agar all of UPA partners ekhatte hote us samay to hum…

To nahi haarte?

Haarne ka koi sawal hi nahi tha.

Didn't you ask people like Mulayam Singh Yadav to withdraw than to fight with you?

Mulayam had damaged me there. I will return his debt. Uska karja soodmud ke saath is baar election me unko utarenge.

Ok, now let's talk a little bit about your role in the United Progressive Alliance. It's not a secret that you wanted to become the home minister...

When my party said yes we will join the government, then my choice was…

Home minister?

There was some difficulty so they allotted me this department.

Were you disappointed? You have done very well at the...

I am not disappointed. It was my choice.

Yes that is my vision but I will not quarrel for the prime ministership.

How many years do you give yourself to be the prime minister?

Kaun jaanta hai kab kaun kya ban jayega

Aap kya sochte hai?

Hum sab sochte rehte hai, kaam karte raho, mauka milega to ho jayenge.

Paanch saal... dus saal?

Haan ban Jayenge...

The full interview will be telecast on NDTV 24x7 at 9.30 pm, November 11.