Madhepura: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Laloo Prasad Yadav today (May 5, 2004) accused the Central Para-Military Forces (CPMFs) of "intimidating and preventing" the Dalit voters from casting their ballots in this constituency where he is crossing swords with Union Consumer Affairs Minister Sharad Yadav.

"I have received serious complaints against CPMF jawans that they are involved in intimidating and preventing Dalit voters from casting their votes," Yadav, who is camping in Madhepura, told reporters.

He charged the CPMF personnel with being bias to rig the poll in favour of the Janata Dal-United (JD-U) nominee.

Elections 2004-The Drama unfolds...

"You all are watching how things are going on at some booths," the RJD chief said while replying to a query whether the Central Forces were working to influence the elections in favour of Sharad Yadav.

"Come what may, I will definitely win the elections from here this time as I have full faith in voters of Madhepura. You will see Sharad will also raise a hue and cry over alleged irregularities the way 'hawai mantri' (Union Aviation Minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy) did in Chapra," Yadav said.

Sharad Yadav, on the other hand, alleged that the CPMF were not deployed at booths in Saur Bazar and Sonbarsa Assembly segments of the constituency despite the directive of the Election Commission.

"I will decide in the evening what I have to do once I come across the details of the electoral irregularities," the JD-U leader said.