Monday, January 31 2005 16:11 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Madhepura (Bihar): Angered over alleged denial of tickets to the candidates of jailed RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal) Lok Sabha member Rajes Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav's choice, his supporters today (Jan 31, 2005) pledged to work for the defeat of ruling party candidates in the five Assembly constituencies in Bihar's Madhepura district.

Madhepura district RJD spokesman Dr Vishwanath Vivek claimed that supporters of the incarcerated MP held a meeting in Madhepura and decided to work for the defeat of the party's official nominees.

Vivek accused the RJD leadership of "committing large-scale irregularities in ticket-distribution and fielding candidates of its choice neglecting the party's grassroot workers."

The alleged denial of tickets to Pappu's candidates caused a furore among his supporters who had burnt the effigy of RJD chief Laloo Prasad before the Madhepura district collectorate at the time of filing of nominations by the party's official candidates last week.

Pappu Yadav is at present lodged in high-security Beur jail in Patna in connection with the CPM (Communist Party if India Marxist) MLA Ajit Sarkar murder case.