Date:25/12/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/12/25/stories/2004122505881100.htm

National

Not worried over campaigning by Uma Bharti: Lalu

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, DEC. 24. The Rashtriya Janata Dal leader, Lalu Prasad, does not appear unduly worried by the Bharatiya Janata Party's plans to use Uma Bharti to undercut his hold among the backward castes in Bihar. "She is temperamental and takes decisions on impulse. Nobody will take her seriously," he said.

After submitting his reply to the showcause notice issued to his party by the Election Commission, Mr. Lalu Prasad appeared confident of seeing off the challenge from his rivals in the coming Assembly elections. "They have tried everything they possibly could in the past as well. I have defeated them earlier and will do so again," he said.

Mr. Prasad said he was confident of getting justice. "I have not violated even a single law and I am confident that justice will be done to me and my party."