Becoming minister no issue for Lalu, wants to revive RJD

Becoming a minister in UPA Government is not an issue for RJD supremo Lalu Prasad as he wants to devote his time in reviving the party which was drubbed in the just-concluded Lok Sabha elections in Bihar that faces Assembly polls next year.

"We have lent unconditional support to the Congress-led secular government and becoming a minister is not an issue. Now, I will go to the people in villages and devote my full time for the revival of my party," he said.

Prasad said: "I have weathered many political storms. In politics, today's winner is tomorrow's loser. Victory and defeat are normal happenings."

"RJD's defeat in the elections notwithstanding, I will ensure that Bihar's interests are protected," he said, while addressing a rally to draw support for LJP nominee Puneet Rai in the bypoll for Fatwah assembly seat in Rural Patna.

"Today, there are only four RJD MPs in the house, but I am sufficient enough to protect the state's interests," the former railway minister said.

"The poor forgot my contributions to alleviating their suffering during the Kosi floods. I was instrumental in sending armymen for their rescue and dispatched relief-laden cargo trains free of cost," he said.

Often in politics those who do good work lose and those who merely brag about reaching fruits of development to the people win, Prasad said.

RJD was able to bag only four seats in the recent polls, 18 less than what it got in 2004 general elections.

In a lighter vein, Prasad said when he asked party workers why was the RJD wiped out in the Kosi belt, they said it was because of 'quintal baba'.

"Nitish Kumar promised one quintal foodgrain to each family that are victims of the Kosi flood. Now, that they have all eaten it up, they realise their folly of supporting the NDA," he said.

All five seats in the Kosi region -- Madhepura, Supaul, Katihar, Purnia and Araria -- were bagged by the ruling NDA in the Lok Sabha elections.