MP's supporters arrested for declaring him God

Supporters of a senior Indian minister who built a temple to honour him and his wife were arrested for violating election law.

With national elections due next month, followers of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and railway minister Lalu Prasad built the €80,000 temple in Bihar to honour him and his politician wife Rabri Devi.

Rajeshwar Yadav, a supporter, said: “ We are just supporters and nothing else. We worship them as God and are even ready to be hanged.”

Mr Yadav also performed a religious ceremony at the site of the temple. He was arrested by the police for violating the poll code and later released on bail.

Ram Deo Bhandary, secretary general of RJD, said: “There is nothing wrong in constructing the temple. It is not a crime.

“People are just showing their love towards our leader. Any arrest in this matter is not acceptable.”

Mr Yadav’s mother Mukhiya Devi told news channel NDTV that the politician and his wife were the incarnations of Hindu gods Krishna and Radha. She said the two politicians had worked to help the downtrodden and have also protected the honour and prestige of the poor.

Mr Prasad, originally a farmer, is popular for his sense of humour during Parliamentary sessions.

Since he took over four years ago, the railway ministry has gone from running at a loss to reportedly making a profit of €3.9bn.