RJD was never against women, says Lalu

Ranchi, July 10 (UNI) RJD chief and railway minster Lalu prasad today asserted that the common criticism that his party was against women empowerment could be negated justifiably with the UPA's unstinting support to Ms Pratibha Patil for the post of President, the highest constitutional chair in the country.

The RJD has whole-heartedly given support to Ms Patil, said the party supremo at a crowded news conference here after the presidentail nominee's meeting with the UPA allies of the Jharkhand this afternoon.

This was a clear indication that the RJD was never against women empowerment, he said, adding that he felt proud to be associated with a historic decision to install a woman in the president's chair.

Talking about the opposition NDA's character assassination in which the BJP was enaged in slinging dirt against her, he said all such allegations were baseless.

''If we open our mouth (against BJP) it would not be healthy either'', Mr Prasad said.

UNI