AAP govt reminds me of the early days of Lalu Raj: Shakeel Ahmed

The term 'Lalu Raj' has more than often been used to describe lack of development initiatives

Reflecting the unease in party over praise of AAP by its leaders, a Congress leader today likened it to early days of Lalu Prasad's rule in Bihar in the nineties while another slammed Union Minister Jairam Ramesh for praising Arvind Kejriwal's party.

"AAP govt reminds me of the early days of Lalu Raj. Oath at JP's Statue, call to fight corruption, Janta Darbar, hair cut & bath to poor children etc.," AICC general secretary in-charge for Delhi Shakeel Ahmed tweeted.

The term 'Lalu Raj' has more than often been used by parties opposed to the RJD as well as analysts to describe lack of development initiatives, lawlessness and lack of governance in Bihar during those days.

Ahmed's remarks came a day after party general secretary in-charge for organisation Janardan Dwivedi yesterday expressed the angst of party workers over prevailing situation.

"Let the Marxist parties take care of what they say. Perhaps the situation of chaos and anarchy suits them. They get a chance to do their politics in such a situation...This is a historic fact most of us know and accept.

"As far as Congress is concerned, every single worker and leader is unhappy that such a situation arose. He feels hurt. He is also angry," Dwivedi had said yesterday when asked about the praise of AAP by some leaders from Left as well as from Congress mainly Union Minister Jairam Ramesh.

Party leader Anil Shastri, who is Chairman of AICC Hindi department and a Special Invitee of Congress Working Committee tweeted, "Jairam has been all praise for AAP. This will go against the Congress in the LS elections. He should speak about his govt's achievements."

Shastri also commented on Twitter "Jairam says Lok Pal bill should have been passed two yrs ago. He was a Minister in the govt. Why did he not push it for the sake of party?"

He also attacked the minister over the latter's barbs against VIP culture after his car got stuck in traffic.

"Jairam is upset over his car being stopped by Delhi traffic. What about the inconvenience caused to general public due to VIP movements ?," Shastri tweeted.

In a terse reaction to queries on Ramesh's views, Dwivedi said such remarks can only come from a person who is not a political worker and has got prominence in the party without undergoing the 'rigour', but added that he was not referring to any particular individual.