BJP MLA threatens to contest against LJP on Vaishali LS seat

PATNA: BJP MLA Achyutanand today threatened to contest as an Independent from Vaishali Lok Sabha seat if the party's new alliance partner LJP fields Ramakishore Singh, a known strongman of the district from the seat.

Achyutanand, MLA from Mahnar hailed the alliance between BJP and LJP under which the latter will get the Vaishali Lok Sabha seat, but appealed to LJP chief Ramvilas Paswan against fielding Ramkishore Singh alias Rama Singh a known muscle man from the seat.

"I appeal to Paswan to respect cultural heritage of Vaishali by deciding against fielding a muscle man like Singh who has been known to have terrorised the local people for decades," he said.

However, if the LJP so decides to field Singh from Vaishali in the ensuing general elections, "I would be compelled to take the plunge against him even as an independent," Achyutanand, a two-term MLA said, adding that he will take views of his supporters before deciding on contesting against the LJP nominee.

"I am strongly opposed to politicians with criminal background contesting polls as such and in this case, I feel saddened that Singh, a known muscle man of Vaishali, will seek to besmirch our district's heritage as founder of the world's first republic by contesting the parliamentary polls from here," he told PTI on phone.

Achyutanand also expressed his ire at his parent party - the BJP - for parting the Vaishali seat.