Lalu Prasad Yadav returns to Patna as party leaders accord grand welcome

Prasad had come to Delhi on September 24 last year for treatment after which he went to Singapore on November 25 for kidney transplant

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad on Friday returned to Patna after seven months. The leader was accorded a warm reception by party members who showered flower petals on him at the airport.

Clad in a white T-shirt and black trousers, Prasad was taken on a wheelchair out of the arrival gate at the airport. (HT photo | Santosh Kumar)

Clad in a white T-shirt and black trousers, Prasad was taken on a wheelchair out of the arrival gate at the airport.

Prasad was accompanied by deputy CM and son Tejashwi Prasad Yadav and former MLA Bhola Prasad Yadav.

His elder son Tej Pratab joined him at the airport.

Prasad had come to Delhi on September 24 last year for treatment after which he went to Singapore on November 25 for kidney transplant.

The RJD chief returned to Delhi from Singapore after the transplant on February 18 and was recuperating.

A senior party leader and Maner MLA Bhai Birendra said Prasad is likely to stay in Patna for a longer period this time.

“There is no scheduled programme of Prasad as of now. However, some senior leaders might also meet him in the next few days,” said party spokesman Mrityunjay Tiwari.

Congress leader Prem Chandra Mishra said Prasad’s availability in Patna will work better for the Mahagathbandhan in Bihar and also help Nitish Kumar and Tejashwi forge the alliance of opposition parties ahead of 2024 elections.

“Prasad is a good organiser and knows how to deal with the aspirations of the ally partners in the government,” said Mishra.