Patna: Amidst rising demand from a section of BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) leaders to fight the coming Bihar Assembly election under the leadership of cinestar-politician Shatrughan Sinha, the party's star campaigner today (Oct 14, 2004) said he was ready to play the 'Senapati' (commander) to take on the might of RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal) supremo Laloo Prasad Yadav in the polls due early next year.

"I am a dedicated worker of the BJP. If the party leadership wants me to assume the role of Senapati in the Assembly poll, I will not run away.." Sinha said in Patna.

"Bihar is my birth place, besides I began my political career here. It pains me like anyone else when I see that the State is being ruined by the president of RJD and his party. I am prepared to make any sacrifice to end the corrupt and inefficient RJD rule in Bihar," Sinha said.

To cash in on the star appeal of Sinha, several BJP leaders including former Union Minister Syed Shahnawaz Hussain, cricketer-turned former Darbhanga MP Kirti Azad and a section of State party leaders have made a strong case for fighting the coming Assembly poll under his leadership.

"The common man is fed up with the corrupt and inefficient Rabri Devi Government and wants an end to the jungle raj. All we need to do is to mobilise the people and unite them to overthrow the RJD from power," he said.

Asked if he had confidence to match Prasad's charisma, Sinha said, "If not more, I think I am not less than anybody in terms of popularity, acceptability and respectability."