INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Jharkhand Congress chief Irfan Ansari has claimed that RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav was being treated like a terrorist by the authorities
Arguing for visitor access to the RJD supremo, Irfan Ansari said, "When people can meet Nirav Modi and Vijay Mallya then what's the harm if
someone meets Lalu Prasad Yadav? How come it is the violation of the jail manual? People can't meet him
Is he a terrorist?"Irfan Ansari alleged that Lalu Prasad Yadav, who is serving three concurrent jail sentences for misusing government funds
from three different treasuries, was a victim of a conspiracy.RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav is currently residing at Kelly Bungalow, the
official residence of the director of the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi
Lalu was shifted from the RIMS to the bungalow over Covid-19 related concerns
India Today TV earlier reported that the RJD leaders were making a beeline outside Kelly Bungalow to meet their party chief in the run-up to
Bihar Assembly Elections, due in October-November.Irfan Ansari, who considered close to Lalu Prasad Yadav, said that the government should
lift all restrictions on meeting the RJD chief as he is a mass leader
Ansari said that he was confident that Lalu Prasad Yadav will be released after the Bihar polls.Reacting to Ansari's claims, the BJP's
legislature party leader in Jharkhand Babulal Marandi said that 'if Lalu Prasad Yadav is a mass leader then he should lead by example and
follow the jail manual'.The BJP leaders in Bihar and Jharkhand have repeatedly claimed that Lalu Prasad Yadav was being meted out a red
carpet treatment during incarceration
He has been seen holding durbars and agency like the CBI should take cognizance of it, they have said.Meanwhile, the RJD workers are eagerly
hoping to see Lalu Prasad Yadav outside the jail before the Bihar elections.The RJD chief's bail petition is pending and is scheduled to be
heard on October 9 in excess withdrawal case from Chaibasa Treasury.Lalu Prasad Yadav was convicted for fraudulently withdrawing Rs 33.13
crore from Chaibasa Treasury and is serving a sentence of 5 years
While filing the petition, Lalu Prasad Yadav's advocates have argued that he has completed half of the term awarded to him in the Chaibasa
case and was entitled to the bail.If Lalu Prasad Yadav is granted bail in the Chaibasa treasury case on October 9, his lawyer will move for
bail in the Dumka case, in which he was sentenced to jail for seven years for fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 3.13 crore.Lalu Prasad Yadav is
already on bail in the Deoghar treasury case for excess withdrawal of Rs 79 lakh
He was convicted and sentenced for 3.5 years.The RJD workers are hoping and praying for a favourable decision during bail hearings in both
Chaibada and Dumka cases.Jharkhand Congress MLA Irfan Ansari said that Lalu Prasad Yadav's presence among the workers in Bihar will stun the
critics and generate a high level of motivation among the party workers that would set the stage for success in the Bihar elections.The
former head of political science at St Xavier College in Ranchi, VP Sharan said that RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav's maneuvering and strategy
had paid a rich dividend in the last elections
"He still has the power to affect the political prospects by his presence," VP Sharan said.However, the legal expert feels that it would be
a bit difficult for Lalu Prasad Yadav to get out of jail in time to affect poll outcome for the RJD
Advocate Rajeev Kumar of Jharkhand High Court said that chances of Lalu Prasad Yadav getting parole were remote
"Even if he is granted bail on October 9 in the Chaibasa case on grounds of completion of half term, he would need to seek bail in the Dumka
And in that case, he will complete half term only in the first week of November
The disposal of bail plea may take some time making it difficult for the RJD supremo to come out in time for the polls," Rajeev Kumar
said.The Congress and RJD, which are part of the ruling alliance in Jharkhand, have also joined hands to contest the Bihar Assembly Election
2020 against the ruling NDA alliance, which includes JDU and BJP, among others
