Lalu Yadav

RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi “is not a real Hindu” as he did not get his head shaved when his mother Heeraba Modi died in 2022.

In Short

• Lalu Prasad Yadav criticises PM Modi, claims he’s not a ‘real Hindu’
• First Mahagathbandhan rally held in Patna, attended by Opposition leaders
• Lalu Yadav targets PM on nepotism, praises daughter for kidney donation

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and claimed “he is not a real Hindu” as he did not get tonsured when his mother Heeraba Modi died in December 2022.

According to Hindu customs, men should shave their heads when a parent dies.

Lalu Yadav made the remarks while addressing a ‘Jan Vishwas Maha Rally’ at the Gandhi Maidan in Patna, which was attended by several Opposition leaders, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge, as well as Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav.

The former Bihar Chief Minister also targeted the Prime Minister for his remarks on nepotism, saying that “people with more children are subjected to humiliation over the issue”.

This was the first Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) rally held in Patna, as well as the first after Lalu Yadav underwent a kidney transplant in Singapore in 2022.

While taking potshots at the Prime Minister over nepotism, Lalu Yadav praised his daughter Rohini for donating her kidney to him.

The RJD chief also asserted that, despite multiple ailments, his work towards the people continued.

While appealing to defeat the BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, he said, “Bihar has given lots of great personalities. In the same Gandhi Maidan, leaders of the country have held rallies and meetings.”

“Bihar is the land that drives the country. Bihar’s opinion has so much power that the people of the country imitate what Bihar decides,” he added.

On Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar switching sides to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the RJD chief said, “We never abused him when he broke the alliance with us.”

“Is he not ashamed of what he does? The BJP will be decimated in the coming polls. We stand united against the BJP,” he added.

Also addressing the rally, Kharge questioned PM Modi’s slogan “Modi Ki Guarantee” and asserted that Nitish Kumar will never be taken back to the Mahagathbandhan fold.

Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi alleged that the Centre was being benefitted by their corporate benefactors with loan waivers as small and medium businesses were affected under the pressure mounted by demonetisation and the enforcement of the Goods and Services Tax.

CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury and Akhilesh Yadav claimed that the actual ‘Amrit Kaal’ will come only after the BJP is ousted from power.

This article was originally published on India Today.

Also read: Delhi Budget 2024 Live: Atishi to present Budget based on ‘Ram Rajya’ concept!