BJP and JD(U) today welcomed the five-year jail term handed down to RJD chief Lalu Prasad in the fodder scam case, saying it would send out a message that the law will catch up with the corrupt, however influential they might be.
BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said the fodder scam was the biggest scam of its time and Yadav's imprisonment for his involvement in it would send out a strong message.
"If you are indulging in corruption, law catches up with you and this is the message I would like to highlight," Prasad said.
JD(U) echoed a similar message, saying the verdict will be a reminder to people sitting in high offices that the law will catch up with them wherever they are if they indulge in corruption.
JD(U) MP Shabir Ali said, "Nobody could deny that Yadav has his influence (in politics) but the kind of verdict which has been delivered today would certainly weaken RJD. The long arms of law will get people involved in corruption".
A lawyer in the fodder scam case in Patna High Court, Prasad said on a petition of BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi, the case was transferred to CBI.
Prasad hinted that RJD's core vote base of Yadavs would look for other options with its party supremo lodged behind bars.
He (Lalu) is a significant powerful presence, Prasad said, adding that his imprisonment will impact RJD's fortunes in Bihar. Prasad said the core support base which he enjoyed is opposed to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar
BJP leaders are hoping that RJD supporters would side with their party to defeat Nitish.
Prasad also used the verdict to target the UPA government and said fair and speedy probes should be carried out into 2G, CWG and coal scams and all the guilty should be brought to book.
Lalu was sentenced to five years rigorous imprisonment by a special CBI court in the 17-year-old fodder scam case which disqualifies him from Parliament and renders him ineligible to contest elections for at least six years.
