Ram Kirpal Yadav set to join BJP today, may fight Lalu Prasad Yadav's daughter

PATNA/NEW DELHI: Rebel RJD leader Ram Kirpal Yadav is all set to join BJP on Wednesday and is likely to contest the Lok Sabha elections against Lalu Prasad's daughter Misa Bharti from Pataliputra constituency.

Ram Kirpal, once known as Lalu's crisis manager, met BJP chief Rajnath Singh and senior leader Ravi Shankar Prasad, who is also from Bihar, at Delhi airport on Tuesday. Prasad confirmed that the Rajya Sabha member will join BJP on Wednesday. He, however, said the decision about the Pataliputra seat would be taken by BJP's central election committee which is to meet on Thursday. "I had a good meeting with Rajnathji . I will comment on the issues tomorrow ," Ram Kirpal said.

BJP considers getting Ram Kirpal into the party fold a big boost to its prospects in Bihar as it would attract a chunk of Yadav votes that mostly went to the RJD. On the developments , Lalu's wife and former CM Rabri Devi said Ram Kirpal's exit would not affect the party. Misa said: "I have closed all political relations with Ram Kirpal uncle but family relation will continue as usual. It will be a fight between two ideologies and not between uncle and niece."