Denied a ticket, Sadhu Yadav joins Congress

New Delhi, March 17 (IANS) Miffed at being denied a ticket for the Lok Sabha polls, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad's brother-in-law Sadhu Anirudh Prasad Yadav Tuesday joined the Congress.

'I have come to join the Congress. I have told them my grievances. I will definitely contest the elections, but how and from where this party high command has to decide,' Yadav told reporters at a press conference along with Congress leaders Sushil Kumar Shinde and Iqbal Singh.

Earlier in the day, Yadav, who is also sitting MP from Gopalganj constituency in Bihar, had accused Lalu Prasad of 'kneeling' before Ram Vilas Paswan, president of Lok Jan Shakti Party (LJSP) in the seat sharing agreement for Bihar.

'I am a sitting MP and have been winning elections. Prakash Jha was nothing but has been given a ticket from Bettiah seat even though he had lost in the last election contesting as an independent. This shows that Lalu Prasad has knelt down before Ram Vilas Paswan.

'I will contest elections from both Bettiah and Motihari seats which have been given to LJP,' Yadav had said.

To a question on why he was going against the RJD chief who is also his relative, Yadav said: 'No relationship in politics. My personal relationship has nothing to do with what I am doing. It's my struggle for social justice. I will contest elections to retain the respect of my people.'