Pappu Yadav blasts Lalu; to claim Lantern symbol after merger

Expelled for six years by the RJD, an angry Pappu Yadav today attacked Lalu Prasad and said he will claim symbol of RJD after merger of splinter parties into Janata Parivar.
"I have already written to the Election Commission two days back that I am against merger and in such condition people like me should be allowed to retain RJD election symbol 'lantern'," Pappu Yadav told reporters here.
He said after holding rallies in Darbhanga on May 9 and in Madhepura his Lok Sabha constituency on May 11 he would organise a meeting of top leaders in Patna on May 15.

"May 16 onwards you will see a strong RJD with committed people like us," he said.
Asked if RJD MLAs were with him, Pappu Yadav said "you should come to know about it on May 16."
Asked if he would lead the group, Pappu Yadav said leadership would be decided after mutual consultations.

The controversial RJD MP questioned his expulsion by RJD raising technical issues and said he would approach EC as well court against it.
"When Lalu Prasad and other leaders locked in merger of Janata Parivar have already declared Mulayam Singh Yadav as President of the new party, how can RJD on diktat of Lalu Prasad can expel me?" he asked.

"Only Mulayam Singh Yadav can now take such decision on expulsion of any leader," he said, adding he would meet Mulayam Singh Yadav tomorrow.
A signed notice by RJD Chief General Secretary Ramdeo Bhandari today announced expulsion of Pappu Yadav for six years for anti-party activities.
Pappu Yadav spitted venom against RJD supremo Lalu Prasad and alleged he was shown the doors as Prasad saw in him threat to facilitate succession of his son on RJD top post.
"Putramoh me mujko nikal diya party se quanki unko lag raha tha ki mere rahte unka beta RJD ka utradhikari nahi bun sakega (he threw me out of the party for the sake of his son as he knew his son would not succeed him in RJD because of me)," the five-time MP said.

Pappu Yadav expressed apprehension that "conspiracy" could be hatched to kill him too.
The Madhepura MP alleged that Lalu Prasad's sons have been steamrolling senior RJD leaders including MPs and MLAs and he raised the issue several times before the RJD President.
"I dare Lalu Prasad to make public the three letters I have written to him in past one year pointing to highhandedness of his sons and they insulting party senior leaders," an irate Pappu Yadav said.