‘Corruption cases filed at behest of BJP-govt’: Misa Bharti
Misa Bharti spoke to Anirban Guha Roy about her ambitions, sibling rivalry in the family and corruption cases against her
Misa Bharti, daughter of jailed Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad, is taking on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) sitting MP, Ram Kripal Yadav, from Patliputra, having lost to him in the 2014 general election. The 42-year-old Rajya Sabha MP spoke to Anirban Guha Roy about her ambitions, sibling rivalry in the family and corruption cases against her. Edited excerpts:
A. There is no resentment in the party against me. Everybody wants a ticket and Bhai Virendra (Maner MLA) too wanted the Pataliputra ticket. Even I want to become Prime Minister. What is wrong in that? I do not see anything wrong in contesting the Lok Sabha election. Besides, there was pressure on me from the party to work in Patliputra.
A. I am getting a positive response. People are angry because of the lack of development in the last five years.
Ram Kripal Yadav won last time due to the Modi wave and the false promises of the BJP. Even this time, he is banking on the Modi factor, knowing well that he has become unpopular.
A. I never said anything about being Laluji’s heir apparent. Yes, I did say there is democracy in our party...
During the formation of the alliance government in 2015, Nitish Kumar held the top post and Tejashwi was elected RJD legislature party leader. He became the deputy CM. We accepted the coalition decision.
Of course, Tejashwi is the heir apparent to the RJD chief and there is no dispute about it.
A. There is no sibling rivalry between my brothers. All this is media speculation. Recently, Tejashwi went to Tej Pratap’s house on his birthday. As for me being closer to Tej Pratap, it is again perception. I don’t know who thinks all these things and spreads misinformation.
A. There is no substance in the cases and all have been filed out of political vendetta at the behest of the BJP-led government at the Centre. The PM targeted our family in his speech at Muzaffarpur a few days ago, and did not talk about core issues. It shows the true face of BJP, which is targeting its opponents by using intimidating ways.
Why didn’t the PM talk about the sexual exploitation of women inmates at the Muzaffarpur shelter home ? People are watching everything; they will vote decisively this time.
