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Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad on Friday reacted strongly against Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah’s ‘crackers in Pakistan’ remark, saying it was an insult to the people of Bihar.
Lalu also questioned Amit Shah for saying that jailed former MP Mohammad Shahabuddin would be happy if the grand alliance of the Janata Party-United,RJD and Congress form the next government.
“Amit Shah has insulted people of Bihar, including Hindus, Muslims, Dalits, Other Backward Classes by terming us as Pakistani. It has again exposed his mindset,” Lalu said.
On Thursday, BJP president while campaigning for the Bihar polls raked up a new controversy when he said that fire-crackers would burst in Pakistan and there would be celebrations if the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance lost the polls.
“Agar Lalu aur Nitish Kumar ki sarkar banti hai to Pakistan mein patakha footenge (If Lalu-Nitish Kumar form the next government in Bihar, celebratory fire crackers will burst in Pakistan),” Amit Shah said while addressing an election rally in Raxaul in Bihar.
Slamming Shah for his remarks, Lalu said Shah had become mad. “Bilkul pagal ho gaya hain. Bihari ko apmanit kar raha hain (Shah has become mad. He is insulting Biharis).”
Lalu said it is not a cricket match between Indian Pakistan and firecrackers would be burst if India defeated. “BJP is not India and Bihar is not Pakistan.”
The BJP president said jailed criminal-turned-politician Mohammad Shahabuddin would benefit the most if a government led by Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad came to power in Bihar.
Shahabuddin, a former parliamentarian, is currently lodged in central Bhagalpur jail.
Lalu said, “Shah’s statements are below the belt. The people of Bihar will teach him and his party a hard lesson in polls.”