Lalu Prasad defends his 'Ganga reaching doorsteps' remark

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav on Thursday defended his remark on Ganga reaching the doorsteps of the people, saying his statement should be taken on a positive note.

"I agree that Ganga has caused loss, but there is profit in it as well. Currently, the loss is that various people are adversely affected by the disaster," he said.

"Without informing anyone, the BJP government in Jharkhand released all the water which caused floods in the state," he added.

Meanwhile, Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) chief Ram Vilas Paswan expressed shock over Lalu's comment and said his statement has rubbed salt on the wounds of the people affected by floods.

"I am startled to hear about such statement. If you are incapable of providing relief to the disaster victims, then at least refrain from mocking people affected by floods," Paswan told ANI.

The former Bihar chief minister earlier on Tuesday stoked a controversy during his visit to the flood hit areas in Fatuha and Bakhtiarpur blocks of Patna. "You are fortunate that the Ganga has reached your doorsteps. It does not always happen. In most cases, you go for it," he said.

The Ganga and five other rivers are flowing above danger mark in many parts of Bihar, triggering a flood-like situation in the districts situated along their banks.