Lalu trying to divert attention from himself, family: BJP

New Delhi [India], August 1 (ANI): Following Lalu Yadav's fresh outburst against friend-turned-enemy Nitish Kumar, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) hit back at the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo saying as always, he was trying to deflect the charges he was facing. Lalu addressed a press conference in Patna today and called Chief Minister and Janata Dal United (JDU) leader Nitish Kumar a 'turncoat'. Speaking to ANI, BJP Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that this was a classic case of Lalu Prasad Yadav's politics. "If somebody asks him any question related to his case, he would start bashing others," he said. He further said that when Lalu fought in 2010 he only won 22 seats, and does not want to further comment on him. Speaking on the same matter, BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli said that Lalu doesn't have answers to the questions that are being raised on him. "He is saying all these things to divert attention from his son, his daughter and various family members who are being seriously questioned on corruption and Benami properties cases," he said. He further said that saying something about Nitish Kumar, BJP or even RSS will not erase the questions that have been raised on Lalu and his family. "It doesn't change the fact the Lalu family will have to eventually answer all the questions related to the property and corruption cases," he said. Addressing a press conference Lalu said, "We supported Nitish Kumar, but when people started talking about my son Tejashwi's work, he got alarmed out of insecurity and wanted to sacrifice him." He also accused Nitish of being on Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) side from the very beginning of their alliance. "Nitish has declared that no one can challenge Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2019 Lok Sabha polls. This shows he was with the BJP from the beginning of 'mahagathbandhan'." Lalu said. "Yesterday when he accused me and my family; I knew it was coming, as he is not a man of his words. He has also forgotten the day when I made him rule the state and join my alliance with open arms. It was only because of Mulayam Singh that I agreed to accept him in my party. But today I regret of the time spent and the moment lost," Lalu said. Nitish in his first press conference, on Monday, after snapping ties with long time ally RJD had said that if Lalu had explained himself over the corruption allegations, then situation could have been different in Bihar. On July 26, Nitish resigned as the chief minister and ended two-year alliance with the RJD and the Congress over corruption charges against his deputy and Prasad's son Tejashwi Yadav. (ANI)