Many doubt Lalu, Rabri innocence

The land-for-hotels scam has not only affected Lalu Prasad in the political sphere but people in the native villages of the RJD chief and his wife Rabri Devi have begun seeking an explanation from the embattled leader.

The CBI registered a corruption case on July 5 against Prasad, Rabri Devi, and his youngest son Tejashwi for alleged irregularities in awarding contracts to run two IRCTC hotels at Ranchi and Puri in 2006 when the RJD chief was the railway minister.

Some at Prasad’s Phulwaria village, 170km north-west of Patna, expressed disbelief over the extent of land and quantum of wealth allegedly owned by his sons and daughters, others felt there could be much more to the timing of the attack on Prasad.

The villagers acknowledged Prasad’s contribution to the development of Phulwaeia— which has all kinds of facilities, including a helipad, railway station, big referral hospital, separate power substation, many banks, police station, and a block office—and the “valued status” it enjoys.

But there is growing indication that even Prasad’s diehard supporters have started believing that the family may have been involved.“He has always projected himself as a leader of the poor and downtrodden and we believed him blindly. But now we wonder as to how could his sons and daughters acquire so much wealth while our condition has remained unchanged,” said 90-year-old Mohammad Shahab Hussain of Mahuan village adjoining Phulwaria.

Ramsagar Singh of Maripur, another village nearby, questioned the way Tejashwi defended himself by saying he was a minor when the alleged “land-for-hotel deal” was struck. “It is not a matter of minor or major. It’s a question of disproportionate wealth in his name,” the 65-year-old added.