BIRGUNJ: Bihar's influential political leader Lalu Prasad Yadav has supposedly assured protesting leaders of Nepal's Madhesi parties that he would draw attention of the central government of India as well as Bihar's state government about extending support to the ongoing agitation launched by Madhesi parties on the Nepali side.

In a meeting with top three leaders of agitating United Democratic Madhesi Front of Nepal among others, the former Chief Minister of Bihar also assured his support to the agitation, according to Federal Socialist Forum-Nepal Parsa district chairman Pradeep Yadav, who was present at the meeting.

Lalu Yadav is the President of Bihar's ruling Rastriya Janata Dal. He was also the Minister of Railways in the central Indian government led by Manmohan Singh of Indian National Congress from 2004 to 2009.

In September 2013, he was arrested after being found guilty of embezzling government funds while he was the Chief Minister of Indian state of Bihar. He was sent to jail for five years. He, however, was released on bail in December the same year. In 1997 also, he was arrested in connection to the same case. After being convicted of embezzlement, the former minister was disqualified as a parliamentarian and banned from contesting elections for the next six years.

Chairpersons of FSF-Nepal, Sadbhawana Party and Tarai Madhes Sadbhawana Party -- three UDMF constituents -- Upendra Yadav, Rajendra Mahato and Mahendra Raya Yadav respectively had called on the Bihar leader today seeking his support to the agitation.

The UDMF leaders are scheduled to hold talks with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday, according to FSF-Nepal leader Pradeep Yadav.

The UDMF leaders are visiting Bihar since Sunday.

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