Lalu innocent, victim of conspiracy: Rabri Devi

Expressing full faith in the innocence of her husband and RJD chief Lalu Prasad, former Bihar chief minister Rabri Devi said Thursday he had become the victim of a "political conspiracy".

A special court in Ranchi sentenced the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) founder leader to five years jail in the fodder scam.

Rabri Devi said Lalu Prasad is a hero and will remain a hero in coming future. "People not only in Bihar, but across the country and abroad love him because he is a champion of the marginalised, poorest of the poor and of communal harmony," she told the media here after the sentencing.

"I do not accept Lalu Prasad as guilty," she asserted.

"Laluji has become a victim of political conspiracy as there was no proof against him," Rabri Devi

"We expected justice from the court but are disappointed."

She insisted that Lalu Prasad had been framed by political opponents and that he was a victim of a "political conspiracy".

"We will not be silent. The RJD will go to people. I will lead the party."

Lalu Prasad, former chief minister Jagannath Mishra and 43 others have been convicted and sentenced for fradulently withdrawing Rs.37.70 crore from the Chaibasa district treasury of undivided Bihar in the mid-1990s, in what became to be popularly known as the fodder scam.