Angry Lalu Prasad blames EC for his defeat

March 02, 2005

Angered by his party's dismal performance at the hustings, RJD president Lalu Prasad on Tuesday sought to put the blame on the Election Commission accusing it of having subverted the democratic process.

"Election Commission ne democracy ka daman kiya hai," Lalu alleged at a press conference after Rabri Devi was re-elected leader of the RJD legislature party.

"Dagi (tainted) officers were appointed as district magistrates and other key election-related posts and they worked against us. The Election Commission, communal forces and affluent classes conspired against me," he said.

Lalu said a large number of voters failed to exercise their franchise despite having photo identity cards as their names were not in the voter lists.

Strongly criticising the EC For ordering externment of some public representatives, including controversial RJD MP Mohammed Shahabuddin, he described the action as 'undemocratic'.