Indira Is Laloos Role Model

A belligerent Laloo Prasad Yadav yesterday likened himself to late Indira Gandhi, and said he would do the same thing as she had: split the party when several senior leaders of the Congress had ganged up against her in 1969. The formation of a new party is expected to be announced today at a one-day convention of his supporters.

Sources close to Laloo Yadav said the party is likely to be named Rashtriya Janata Dal. He indicated that there was little prospect of a patch-up at this stage, but had a good word for Prime Minister I K Gujral and others who tried to resolve matters between him and Sharad Yadav. He met Gujral late yesterday night.

 

At a crowded press meet, the Chief Minister gave the impression of a person who has been slighted by his own men. He charged that Sharad Yadav was merely a proxy candidate, and the real opponents in the party wanted to drive him out even though he had built the party.

He termed Sharad Yadav as a helpless person, and said someone else had written his script. Laloo Yadav said he was instrumental in Gujral becoming Prime Minister, and he would be the first to come to Gujrals defence if he were in any problem.