Lalu rejects Shivanand plea to return to RJD

JD(U) had expelled Tiwari and four Lok Sabha MPs from party for anti-party activities

Expelled JD (U) leader Shivanand Tiwari from Bihar today said RJD supremo Lalu Prasad rejected his plea to allow to return to his party.

JD(U) had on February 27 expelled Tiwari and four Lok Sabha MPs from JD (U) for "anti-party activities".

"A so-called crusader of secularism threw me out of his group. I publicly approached the second crusader Lalu Prasad but he refused to open the doors for me. After deserting Nitish Kumar, I had no option other than Lalu Prasad. I called him and requested to field me from either Ara or Bettiah. But the result is for all to see. I have become untouchable for both," said Tiwari who is yet to find a new political address.

While Lalu Prasad's RJD evinced no interest in seeking his rentry, he said he was not interested in joining BJP.

Tiwari claimed he was approached by BJP leader Saryu Rai who wanted to know whether he has any desire to contest the polls on a BJP ticket.

"I am very grateful to Saryu Rai...But my conscience is not allowing me to do so despite the fact there is pressure from family and friends that after being spurned by my both colleagues, I should contest the elections...I have not yet decided on my future role but remaining a mute spectator is not in my nature," he said.

Tiwari had been an MP from Buxar on a RJD ticket in the past and was also offered to contest this seat by JD (U) after the party decided not to renew his Rajya Sabha nomination.

Tiwari had rejected the offer and called Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar "arrogant".

Tiwari had been a confidante of Lalu Prasad as well when RJD was ruling Bihar. He had later switched over to JD(U) where he enjoyed the confidence of Nitish Kumar for quite some time before the relations between the two soured.