On Misa Bharti's request, Ram Kripal Yadav agrees to contest from Patliputra

Sulking RJD MP Ramkirpal Yadav on Friday relented to the request of Misa Bharti, daughter of Lalu Prasad, to replace her as party candidate from Patliputra Lok Sabha seat but said this should be announced by the RJD chief.

Yadav, man Friday of Lalu Prasad who is angry on denial of ticket from Patliputra, told reporters over phone that he has accepted Misa's request to contest on RJD ticket, instead of her, from the constituency in Patna district.

"But, this would have to be announced by RJD chief Lalu Prasad himself," he said.

Yadav, who presently is Rajya Sabha MP, said he was feeling "sorry" that he could not meet Prasad's daughter Misa Bharti, who waited for her 'uncle' at his Delhi residence for nearly five hours.

"But, later I had a talk with her over phone in which I agreed to her request that I shall contest from Patliputra seat," he said.

Misa had rushed to Delhi to meet Yadav, who also is party general secretary, after reports that he was seeking an entry into BJP on being denied ticket from Pataliputra.

Misa, the eldest daughter of Prasad and an MBBS degree holder, had earlier said that she was not aware that Yadav was interested in contesting from Pataliputra.

Lalu Prasad had yesterday announced Misa's name for Pataliputra from which he had lost in 2009 elections.

Misa had said if fighting from Patliputra seat is an issue she would leave it for Yadav and campaign for him.

While Prasad's wife Rabri Devi had described the incident as "fight within family", the RJD president feigned ignorance about the reason of Yadav's anger. "Whether it is over ticket or is being instigated by others to protest."

The RJD supremo said he was confident that Yadav would not "ruin" his life and career by leaving the party. "Two years of his term in Rajya Sabha were still left. He never staked a claim for Pataliputra seat before me," Prasad added.

Sources said RJD Legislature party leader in Council Gulam Gaus was also angry after being denied ticket from Bettiah seat.

Meanwhile, RJD has removed Yadav's close aide Randhir Yadav from the post of state party spokesman.