Lalu Prasad's re-election as RJD chief a mere formality

The re-election of former chief minister Lalu Prasad as the RJD national president for the ninth consecutive time is now a mere formality, according to party sources, since he is likely to be the only candidate in fray for the top party post.

"Laluji filed his nomination for the top post at the RJD state headquarters here on Friday. Only a formal announcement on Laluji's election has to be made now. January 9 is the date of withdrawal of nominations," Rashtriya Janata Dal office in-charge Chandeshwar Prasad Singh said.

Formal voting to elect Lalu Prasad for another three-year term will take place on January 17 during the party's national council meeting here. More than 700 delegates from 24 states are likely to attend the meeting.

Party leaders said the former chief minister has been the RJD national president ever since the party's formation on July 5, 1997, after a split in the Janata Dal.

Former minister Ram Chandra Purve was elected RJD Bihar unit president for the third term early this month.

The RJD won 80 seats and emerged as the largest single party in the 2015 Bihar assembly polls.