Patna: Beleaguered LJP leader Chirag Paswan on Tuesday expressed gratitude for the support received from RJD president Lalu Prasad, recalling the 'cordial relations' the latter shared with his late father Ram Vilas Paswan.
The chief of the erstwhile undivided LJP, however, ducked queries about Prasad’s suggestion that Chirag should team up with his son Tejashwi Yadav who has emerged as the rising star of the RJD.
'Lalu ji had madhur sambandh (cordial relations) with my father and political mentor Ram Vilas Paswan. I thank him for lending credence to my leadership. But, my current priority is the ongoing state-wide Ashirwad Yatra', Chirag told reporters here.
He was responding to queries about remarks made by Prasad, who has been in Delhi since his release from jail earlier this year. The remarks that crisis in the LJP in fact established Chirag as a leader were made by the septuagenarian after a meeting with veteran socialist leader Sharad Yadav, a former president of the JD(U) controlled by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar with whom the latter fell out in course of time.
The Jamui MP has been cornered within his own party following the rebellion staged by his uncle Pashupati Kumar Paras, cousin Prince Raj and other LJP MPs. The rebellious faction, which has been recognized by the Lok Sabha Speaker though the move has been challenged by Chirag, has squarely blamed the son of its late founding president for the party cutting a sorry figure in the assembly elections last year.