Lalu elected RJD chief sixth straight time

Sarnath, Varanasi, Aug 25 (UNI) Railway Minister Lalu Prasad was elected RJD president unopposed for the sixth consecutive term here today.

The former Bihar CM was elected to the post by the party national executive which met were this morning.

Returning officer and former Bihar minister Ram Chandra Purve formally announced Mr Prasad's election for another two-year term at the RJD's sixth two-day national convention which started here today.

Mr Purve said Mr Prasad was the only candidate in fray and his nomination papers were found valid during scrutiny on Thursday.

Later delivering the presidential address, Mr Prasad was at his inimitable best by first turning an astrologer and then directing the people managing the mike on the stage in his signature style.

''Abhi yehan bahut garmi hai...par kal jab humlog Sarnath se jayenge to jhamajham barish hogi'' (right now it is very hot here, but after we leave the convention venue tomorrow, there will be heavy shower),'' he said.

Lalu's predictions, however, fell flat immediately as during the press conference a few moments later, heavy shower greeted the venue named 'Purvanchal Nagar.' Interestingly, while the venue was showered by rain, the neighbouring Buddhist pilgrimage of Sarnath received no rain.

The former Bihar Chief Minister, however, had a short verbal spat with some electronic media scribes on his way out of the press conference, when the scribes asked him as to why on one hand was he running the special 'Garib Rath' train for poor and on the other considering the Rail Yatri Niwas in New Delhi to be run in association with Taj Group of Hotels.

''There is no such proposal. If at all I will have to do anything I will never require media's advice,'' Mr Prasad left the press tent in a huff.

UNI