Lalu Yadav 'Pulled and Hugged' me says Kejriwal

Arvind Kejriwal: Lalu Yadav ‘pulled and hugged’ me at Nitish’s oath ceremon.

Explaining his show of camaraderie for RJD chief Laloo Prasad Yadav at Nitish Kumar’s swearing-in ceremony in Patna, Aam Aadmi Party convener and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal said that it was Mr. Prasad who hugged him.

At the National Council meeting on Monday, Mr. Kejriwal said Mr. Laloo was on stage when he went to congratulate CM Nitish Kumar. “Laloo shook hands, pulled and hugged me. Held my hand and raised it. It was projected in a certain way and questions were asked,” he said.

The Aam Aadmi Party National Council meeting takes place every six months and 177 members attended the meeting.

Mr. Kejriwal further clarified that the Aam Aadmi Party had not formed an alliance with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and was against Lalu Prasad’s record of corruption. “We’ll always oppose it. We are against his dynasty politics. His two sons are Ministers. We are against that too.” He said he had gone to Bihar only for Mr. Kumar.

Praising Mr. Kumar, the Aam Aadmi Party convener said he was a good man. The Aam Aadmi Party worked against the BJP in Bihar and had supported Mr. Kumar. However, Delhi CM Mr. Kejriwal faced sharp criticism after pictures of him embracing Laloo Prasad Yadav, who was convicted in the fodder scam, went viral. Expelled Aam Aadmi Party leader Yogendra Yadav described it as a “shameful” act. “Political capital of the movement sold to symbols of political corruption. Ashamed!” he tweeted. He was criticised even on social media with many even posting his old tweet. “Laloo made crores in fodder scam. But no order for recovery of that money. Just 25 lakh fine and few years in jail. A sweet deal,” Mr. Kejriwal had tweeted on Oct. 3, 2013.

In Delhi, the BJP setup huge banners of Mr. Laloo Prasad and Mr. Kejriwal hugging each other.