'I am not here to champion the cause of the brahmins. This is the era of the backward classes'

Bihar Chief Minister Laloo Prasad Yadav says his supporters are convinced that a conspiracy has been launched against him. Full of aggression after addressing a not-so-impressive rally at the Gandhi Maidan in Patna, along with Janata Dal working president Sharad Yadav, Laloo Yadav explained to Rediff On The NeT'sTara Shankar Sahay why he will not step down from office.

The attendance at your rally was not so impressive as before. Then your supporters clogged every available space in the Gandhi Maidan. Do you feel your support is ebbing away because of your alleged role in the fodder scam?

Aap ke vichar se kitne aadmi they rally mein? (in your opinion how many people attended the rally?)

Not more than eight to ten thousand people.

Aap apni aankhen kisi achhe doctor se chikitsa karayen (Get your eyes examined by a good doctor). There were more than 25,000 people. The trouble with you journalists is that you are short-sighted.

Lalooji, what is the reality?

(laughs) Can't you see ? The people of Bihar want Laloo Yadav to remain their chief minister because he fights for their rights. The Bihari people will not tolerate communal forces trying to dislodge Laloo Yadav through a cheap conspiracy which is evident to everybody.

The CBI has questioned you about your alleged role in the scam, and you still maintain there is a conspiracy against you?

I have repeated it several times. I not only co-operated with the CBI but helped it bring to book corrupt officials in my government who appear to be involved in this chara ghotala (fodder scam). This is a clear case of conspiracy by the BJP and other communal forces which are jealous of Laloo Yadav's popularity.

The BJP launched this conspiracy. After all, they are totally frustrated because I head this government of the poor and the downtrodden. Yeh BJPwale kar bhi kya sakte hain? (What else can these BJP people do?) It is a party of traders and businessmen led by brahmins. They are aggrieved that they cannot get into power. Isliye yeh sub shadyantra chal raha hain (hence this conspiracy).

There is an allegation doing the rounds that you are playing the castiest card as a last resort to cling to power, even as the curtain is poised to come down on the fodder scam.

(angrily) When I mobilise the backwards and the downtrodden to fight for their rights, I become a villain. If that is the perception of the press, so be it. I am not here to champion the cause of the upper castes, particularly the brahmins. Unka khel khatam ho gaya (their gameplan has ended). Yeh phichhre wargo ka yug hai (this is the era of the backward classes). Now you know why the people want me as their chief minister.