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Sadhu does a volte-face, says Laloo is everything to him

Soroor Ahmed in Patna

Rashtriya Janata Dal MLC and brother-in-law of party president Laloo Prasad Yadav, Sadhu Yadav, who had created a flutter in Bihar by criticising ministers of his own party and even demanding expulsion of Laloo and his wife Chief Minister Rabri Devi, did a volte-face on Thursday claiming he never issued the statements that were attributed to him in newspapers.

A much-subdued Anirudh Prasad alias Sadhu Yadav told newsmen here that he never criticised any minister or party leader. "I had only referred to some government departments... the press misquoted me," he said.

He termed the stories about his 'revolt' carried by several state and national newspapers as a figment of some newsmen's imagination. "I never demanded the removal of five ministers from the Rabri cabinet nor I ever raised the banner of revolt against the party leadership," he said.

He singled out Hindi daily Jansatta for carrying a baseless story which said that Sadhu Yadav was roaming about in Delhi with 60 MLAs.

In a written statement Sadhu Yadav said he would never pardon those who were trying to create a wedge in his family.

Sadhu Yadav was all praise for his mentor, Laloo Prasad Yadav. "Whatever I am today it is because of him. I am like a human-bomb and he can use me anywhere, anytime."

He also vowed to launch a jehad (crusade) against all those who were out to weaken the RJD chief.

The press release also offered an apology to the "five ministers who may have been inadvertently hurt by my statements."

Sadhu Yadav's clarification did not come as a surprise. It was quite clear that he was willing to make a climb down when he did not keep his promise of addressing a press conference on October 25.

In the meantime, the five ministers against whom he spoke took a firm stand and reportedly told the RJD chief to check the anti-party activities his brother-in-law. Sadhu Yadav came under heavy pressure and was told point blank that if he did not withdraw his statements, the party would be forced to expel him.

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