Senior Advocates Slam Opposition VP Candidate’s Meeting with Convicted Lalu Prasad Yadav
In a strong reaction from the legal community, at least 20 senior advocates from the High Court and Supreme Court have voiced their shock over a controversial meeting between Opposition Vice Presidential candidate B. Sudharsan Reddy and RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav. Yadav, infamous for his conviction in the massive fodder scam, met Reddy recently, sparking outrage over ethics in public life.
These top lawyers released a joint statement on Monday, highlighting how this meeting raises big red flags on constitutional morality. They pointed out that Reddy, who aims for one of India’s highest offices, chose to sit down privately with someone convicted of embezzling around Rs 940 crore in public funds from Bihar in the fodder scam case.
"We find it deeply disturbing that Mr. B. Sudharsan Reddy had a private meeting with Mr. Lalu Prasad Yadav, who is convicted in the fodder scam—a case of massive public fund embezzlement," the advocates said in their statement. They argued that Reddy’s decision shows poor judgment, especially given his background as a former judge and his high ambitions.
The group called the meeting a "worrying development" and stressed that it tarnishes the dignity of constitutional institutions. Despite Reddy’s respected judicial career, associating with a convicted criminal like Yadav in the fodder scam undermines public trust, they added.
The advocates didn’t stop there. They criticized the silence from some groups who usually jump on smaller issues. "It’s telling how these self-proclaimed guardians of constitutional morality stay quiet when it suits their political interests," the statement noted. This, they said, exposes partisan biases and overlooks serious ethical lapses for convenience.
They urged the public to closely scrutinize this incident. "An aspiring Vice President making such a mistake in judgment deserves full public evaluation," the lawyers emphasized, warning that it could harm the integrity of key constitutional posts.
This controversy comes just days after former judges rallied in support of Reddy. He faced backlash over an old judgment on the Salwa Judum issue and claims that it hurt efforts against Naxalism. In their letter, the ex-judges called for a civil campaign, saying, "The Vice Presidential race can stay ideological but must remain dignified. Avoid attacking candidates’ ideologies."
The fodder scam conviction of Lalu Prasad Yadav continues to haunt his political legacy, and this meeting has now put B. Sudharsan Reddy’s suitability for the Vice President role under intense scrutiny. As the election heats up, questions on propriety in Indian politics are louder than ever.
