Lalu Yadav accuses Bihar CM of dividing all-party spirit

Patna, Nov 2 : Union Railway Minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav on Sunday accused Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of "dividing the all-party spirit", in the wake of attacks on Biharis in Maharashtra.

Lalu also called for resignation by Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) of all parties in Bihar to mobilise public opinion against divisive elements.

While talking to reporters, Lalu said, "I will take the resignations of all our 24 Lok Sabha members, 4 of Rajya Sabha, 55 MLAs and 15 Members of Legislative Council (MLCs) by November 15."

"I appeal to leaders of all parties to follow suit to mobilise public opinion against elements indulging in hate campaign against Biharis," Lalu added.

The Minister's statement comes only four days after the state's ruling JD (U) had announced that all its five Lok Sabha members would submit their resignation to Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee on November 7 if the anti-north Indian campaign in Maharashtra was not checked by then.

"The all-party delegation that met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on October 27 to seek action against those spreading the poison of hatred and causing deep disaffection among various sections of people had sent a very positive message across the country," said the Railway Minister, adding, "The JD (U) has brought it all to a nought by taking a unilateral decision."

Lalu further said that though the all-party delegation met the Prime Minister with the intention of seeking action against Bal Thackeray and Raj Thackeray, there was no mention of their names in the memorandum submitted to him.

Recently, Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) activists attacked several North Indian youths, who were to appear for interviews for Indian Railways'' Grade IV jobs in Mumbai.

ANI