Lalu's supporter embarks on a "padyatra" from Patna to Ranchi

A supporter of Lalu Prasad has embarked on a 21-day "padyatra" (march) from here to Ranchi, more than 300 kms away, to press the demand for release of the RJD national president who is in jail in connection with fodder scam cases.
Jitendra Kumar, a resident of Bhojpur district, called on the RJD vice-president, Prasad's wife and former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi before leaving for his "padyatra" which will conclude on March 23.
Kumar said he practices law at the civil court in Arrah, the district headquarters of Bhojpur, and has been pained by the treatment meted out to Prasad.

Prasad has been lodged in a jail at Ranchi since December 23 when he was convicted in a case relating to fraudulent withdrawal of money from the treasury in Deoghar district. He was convicted in a similar case relating to Chaibasa treasury a few weeks later.
Earlier, in 2013, Prasad faced his first conviction in a fodder scam case which also led to his being disqualified from the Lok Sabha and debarred from contesting elections.