Shahabuddin surfaces in Gorakhpur, says has full faith in Laloo

Controversial RJD MP Mohammed Shahabuddin, against whom an arrest warrant has been issued by a Bihar court in a kidnapping case, today said ...

Controversial RJD MP Mohammed Shahabuddin, against whom an arrest warrant has been issued by a Bihar court in a kidnapping case, today said he was ready to surrender. The MP alleged that action was being initiated against him by Director General of Police D.P. Ojha for ‘‘cheap publicity’’.

‘‘I am ready to surrender but would like to avail of my right to seek anticipatory bail,’’ he told a television channel from Gorakhpur, where he broke his journey while on way to Siwan from Delhi by train.

Shahabuddin, an MP from Siwan, alleged that action was being initiated against him by some vested interest for ‘‘cheap publicity’’. Asked who the person was, he replied, ‘‘the DGP’’. Ojha, however, refused to comment.

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Shahabuddin said he disembarked from the train in Gorakhpur after getting a message from a party leader that there was a huge crowd waiting for him at Siwan and his arrival could lead to law and order problems. He refused to confirm if that party leader was RJD chief Laloo Prasad Yadav.

To another question as to which leader’s direction was he following, the RJD MP said ‘‘all the leaders’’. He said ‘‘whatever is happening has nothing to do with the party’’.

However, when asked about his future course of action, Shahabuddin said he would do what the party tells him, including going to Siwan.

On the RJD chief’s silence in the entire episode, Shahabuddin said Laloo would make a statement soon after ‘‘analysing the situation’’. He said he enjoyed a ‘‘very good relationship’’ with Laloo and treated him as his elder brother.

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Stating that Ojha’s actions would have no bearing on the party, Shahabuddin said the rumour about his going underground was baseless as he had already filed an anticipatory bail plea and the court would hear the matter on August 7.

The MP said he would approach the high court and even the Supreme Court if he was not granted bail, adding the issue of surrender would arise only after the Supreme Court rejects the bail petition.

To another query, Shahabuddin said he would not leave his party at any cost as ‘‘marrying time and again’’ was not a right thing. He said he would take a political ‘‘sanyas’’ if he was compelled to leave the party at any stage.