Thursday, April 7 2005 09:47 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Muzaffarpur: The day-long review meeting of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) yesterday (Apr 6, 2005) to discuss the reasons for the poor performance of the party in the recent Assembly polls saw party workers venting their ire on party leadership including its president Laloo Prasad charging them with favouritism in distribution of tickets and promoting family interests at the cost of party.

The RJD workers, district party office bearers and candidates both winning as well who lost in the polls from six districts of Tirhut division told Laloo that his growing alienation from workers and common people was one of the main reason for "disillusionment" from the party.

Speakers while expressing their views also highlighted that many people closed to Laloo working against the party and pointed out his elder brother-in-law and MP Sadhu Yadav fielding his wife as an Independent from Gopalganj seat. They asked the RJD supremo when the interest of the party was sacrificed by people close to him, how can others be accused of working against the party interests?

While speakers one after another continued expressing anger at the leadership, Laloo, Union Minister and vice-president of RJD Raghubansh Prasad Singh, State party president Abdul Bari Siddiqui, senior party leaders and former Ministers Shivanand Tiwari and Ram Chandra Purve sat quietly. Later addressing the meeting, Laloo asked the workers to "forget" the past and work for strengthening the party.

He also told the workers to gear up for a snap polls as no party or combination appeared to be in a position to form a Government in the State.

Laloo said that despite getting lesser number of seats, the RJD emerged as the single largest party with 75 seats. "This is enough to prove that the party still enjoys the confidence of the people. But, this should be no reason for complacency and all should contribute in strengthening the party."

He also poked fun at the Government formation exercise of Janata Dal United (JDU), Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) and others and said their efforts would yield no results.

He also disfavoured imposition of President's rule immediately after the polls saying elections are not fought for President's rule.

Raghubansh Prasad Singh said that it was heartening that the party felt the need to review its action "open-heartedly" probably for the first time in the last 15 years.

He asked party workers to get on to the job of strengthening the party organisations at the grassroot level.

RJD spokesman and senior party leader Shivanand Tiwari pointed fingers at the Congress and suggested to remain cautious from that party.

RJD workers from Muzaffarpur, Vaishali, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, East Champaran and West Champaran districts participated in the meet.