Lalu Prasad Yadavson Tej rides a horse to bungalow

Bihar health minister Tej Pratap Yadav, who is RJD supremo Lalu Prasad’s elder son, rode a horse from his parents’ home to his official residence to celebrate Christmas, drawing sharp criticism from the Opposition BJP.

Accompanied by a posse of security personnel and a trained jockey on another horse, Mr Yadav rode the half-km distance from 10, Circular Road to 5, Deshratna Marg on Friday.

Later, Mr Yadav told mediapersons: “I enjoy horse-riding which I have done after many years... I had been doing it regularly years ago.”

He also harped on the environmental benefits of horse-riding, saying it helps contain pollution and referred to growing air pollution in Patna and other towns in Bihar due to increasing vehicular traffic.

His ride drew sharp criticism from the Leader of the Opposition Prem Kumar who said Mr Yadav was enjoying pleasure rides at a time when patients need improved facilities in hospitals which lacked infrastructure and medicines.