Lalu accuses Nitish, Rudy of poll malpractice

Patna, Apr.16 (ANI): Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief and Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav on Thursday accused his BJP rival Rajiv Pratap Rudy and the Nitish Kumar-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Government in Bihar of electoral malpractice.

Lalu, whose political future is to be decided by the voter turnout today, claimed that socially underprivileged sections like Dalits were not allowed to vote in his Saran (Chhapra) parliamentary constituency on Thursday, and those who attempted to do so, were attacked by upper caste voters.

He also claimed that Rudy had indulged in malpractice in some of the polling booths, and therefore demanded a repoll immediately.

Earlier, Rudy said that his record as a politician spoke for itself.

He said that he had always been working for the residents of the constituency unlike his high-profile rival Lalu Yadav.

"I have done my politics in Chhapra, been an MLA twice. I have been at the frontline for the last 22 years. I can't treat myself as a high-profile candidate as Lalu Prasad but I am a part of the central team of BJP," said Rudy.

"What Lalu Prasad has lost is credibility. His caste men support him but do not hate me. Caste equations of Lalu Prasad do not exist now," he said. (ANI)