Shatrughan ready to lead BJP campaign in Bihar

Amidst demands from a section of the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) leaders that the coming Assembly elections in Bihar be fought under the leadership of cine star-politician Shatrughan Sinha, the party's star campaigner today said he was ready to play the role of the 'senapati' (commander) to take on the might of the Rashtriya Janta Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav during the polls due early next year.

"I am a dedicated worker of the BJP. If the party leadership wants me to assume the role of senapati in the Assembly polls, I will not run away," he said here.

"Bihar is my birth place, and I began my political career here. It pains me just like anyone else when I see that the state is being ruined by the RJD president and his party. I am prepared to make any sacrifice to end the corrupt and inefficient RJD rule in Bihar," he said.

To cash in on Sinha's star appeal, several BJP leaders, including former Union Minister Syed Shahnawaz Hussain, cricketer-turned-politician and former Darbhanga MP Kirti Azad and a section of the state party leaders, have made a strong case for fighting the coming Assembly polls under his leadership.

"The common man is fed up with the corrupt and inefficient Rabri Devi government and wants an end to the jungle raj. All we need to do is to mobilise the people and unite them to remove the RJD from power," he said.

Asked if he had the confidence to match Prasad's charisma, Sinha said, "If not more, I think I am not less popular, acceptable and respectable than anybody."

Sinha discounted the allegation that he was a "drawing room politician" and that he could not devote much time to the party owing to his preoccupation with Bollywood.

"While campaigning during the recent Lok Sabha elections and also in the past, I have moved around in remote areas of different states to drum up support for party candidates." The BJP's Rajya Sabha member from Bihar pointed out.

"Moreover, I normally visit Bihar two-to-three times a month and if entrusted with a greater responsibility I will camp here permanently," he said and termed the aspersions cast on him in this regard "baseless and motivated".

Sinha said that he hated being seen as a caste leader and that he was confident that he could mobilise different castes, and particularly the youth, to launch a 'decisive' battle against Prasad and his party.

On whether he felt that the BJP should fight the Assembly polls on its own or with its partner the Janta Dal (JD [U]), the senior BJP leader said that he was in favour of a united NDA. He, however, felt that the BJP should not have to make too many concessions to coalition partners under pressure."