Cracks in RJD over Lalu's leadership

Senior Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Akhlaque Ahmed on Wednesday held party chief Lalu Prasad responsible for the party's debacle in the Bihar assembly elections and pressed for his resignation, a demand which was rejected by the party.

Emerging from the 'chintan baithak' or assessment-cum introspection exercise in Patna, Ahmed told mediapersons that he raised several issues before Prasad, that needed immediate attention.

"We should go into the reasons leading to the party faring poorly in the elections. The reasons must be identified and immediate steps be taken in this connection," he said.

Ahmed said he demanded that Prasad should resign from the party presidentship owning moral responsibility for the debacle.

When contacted, state RJD chief Ramchandra Purve and Secretary General Ramkripal Yadav said the meeting reposed full faith in Prasad's leadership and out rightly rejected Ahmed's demand.

"Prasad will continue," they said and accused Ahmed of "indulging in indiscipline" at the behest of political opponents.

"Ahmed is in fact angry because Laluji refused to give him a party nomination during the elections. In fact, Ahmed, who was MLA thrice, worked against the party interests and engaged in canvasing support against official candidates," Yadav said, adding, the RJD alone had polled more than 79 lakh votes that reflected people's support to the leadership of Lalu.

"We will demand disciplinary action against Ahmed," he said, adding, Ahmed was also free to quit on his own.