RJD demands explanation from Centre over Lalu's revoked tarmac access

A day after the Centre revoked direct access for Lalu Prasad Yadav and his wife, Rabri Devi to the Patna Airport tarmac, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) questioned the true intention of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP government behind the development.

Speaking to ANI here, RJD leader Manoj Jha called on the Centre to provide a reason over revoking Lalu's access to the tarmac.

"If they have done this just to tell Lalu and Rabri that we are taking this facility from you, then I think it sends a message that this is a government which can actually play with issues like security," he said.

A major ally of the RJD in Bihar, Congress believes that BJP's prime job is to trouble the opposition. However, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has said that the withdrawal of tarmac access for Lalu is a welcome sign ,as it gives out a message that there is no space for VVIP culture in a democracy.

Lalu Prasad and his family have been in the firing line recently with various corruption and money laundering cases, like the fodder scam.

Lalu's son and Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav also faces cases of corruption.

In addition to these, now even the aviation ministry has withdrawn the VVIP status given to Lalu Prasad and his wife, Rabri Devi.

Earlier, the Yadav family was allowed to drive their vehicles to the tarmac-the step ladder of the plane. But now, they have to schedule their flights like normal passengers.

This move has been taken as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's aim to end the VVIP culture rampant among politicians.