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Shatrughan ready to play BJP's `Senapati' in Bihar

PATNA, OCT. 14. Amidst demand from a section of BJP leaders to fight the coming Bihar Assembly elections under the leadership of cinestar-politician Shatrughan Sinha, the party's star campaigner today said he was ready to play the `senapati' (commander) to take on the might of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad in 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, besides I began my political career here. It pains me 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 the star appeal of Mr. Sinha, several BJP leaders, including former Union Minister Syed Shahnawaz Hussain, cricketer-turned former Darbhanga MP Kirti Azad and a section of 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 overthrow the RJD from power," he said.

Asked if he had confidence to match Mr. Prasad's charisma, Mr. Sinha said: "if not more, I think I am not less than anybody in terms of popularity, acceptability and respectability." Mr. Sinha discounted the allegation that he was a "drawing room politician" and could not devote much time to the party owing to his preoccupation with Bollywood.

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

"Besides, I normally visit Bihar twice-thrice a month and if entrusted a greater responsibility I will camp here permanently," he said.

Mr. Sinha said he hated being seen as a caste leader and expressed confidence he could mobilise different castes and particularly the youth to launch a `decisive' battle against Mr. Prasad and his party.

On whether he feels the BJP should go alone in the assembly poll or fight unitedly with its partner JD (U), the senior BJP leader said he was in favour of a united NDA but for this "the BJP should not be made to sacrifice too much under pressure from any quarter".

PTI

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Shatrughan ready to play BJP's `Senapati' in Bihar

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