RJD chief Lalu Prasad was a “people’s hero and icon of social justice” but was now in jail after being framed by the BJP and Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, former deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav said on Wednesday.

Tejashwi, who is also leader of opposition in the Bihar assembly, said the Rashtriya Janata Dal will approach the high court, and if needed the Supreme Court to get justice, after his father was sentenced to five years in prison by the special CBI court in Ranchi in connection with fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 33.67 crore from the Chaibasa treasury in 1992-1993.

“The CBI court’s conviction is not final… we will challenge the verdict in the high court,” the RJD leader said.

Chief minister Nitish Kumar, however, said it was a judicial decision, and that the government was not involved.

“We don’t have anything to do with this. It’s a judicial decision, we will not react on it, but will not compromise on our justice and development agenda,” he said.

Another former Bihar chief minister Jagannath Mishra too was handed down a five-year jail sentence. Both leaders have to pay a fine of Rs 5 lakh each.

This was the third fodder scam case in which the RJD chief has been convicted. Lalu Prasad is currently in jail in Ranchi after being convicted in another case in December.

“We all know that the BJP has been conspiring against Laluji but we have full confidence in the judiciary, and Laluji will get justice soon,” Tejashwi said.

“We will go to the apex court for justice to Laluji, who is the people’s hero and icon of social justice".

“Laluji lives in the hearts of crores of people, not only in Bihar but across the country and abroad. Laluji may be behind bars after being framed by his rivals, mainly the BJP and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar. RJD will go to the people because their decision is bigger than any decision.”

“We have full confidence in the judiciary, and Laluji will get justice soon,” he added.

Tejashwi claimed the NDA was planning to hold elections in Bihar by December 2018 and this was evident with senior BJP leaders as well as RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat undertaking tours of the state.

The NDA wants to keep Lalu Prasad embroiled in legal difficulties so that it is smooth sailing for the alliance. But it was mistaken as the RJD would give a fitting reply whenever elections are held, he said.