Patna: RJD chief Lalu Prasad's elder son Tej Pratap Yadav has decided to celebrate Diwali in the slums of Patna this year to share "happiness with the poor".

The former health minister has also decided not to burst firecrackers and appealed others to follow.

"I will celebrate Diwali in the slums with the poor children because I want to see happiness on their faces," Tej Pratap said outside his 10 Circular Road residence. "For me Diwali means extending happiness to those who do not have anything. I will appeal to people not to burst firecrackers as it pollutes the environment."

He said he had shorn off crackers a few years back after he got burns while bursting one, and suggested bursting balloons instead.

"You will get the same feeling. There is no chance of getting hurt and children enjoy it too," Tej Pratap said.

Like his father, he too appealed to use diyas (earthen lamps) during Diwali.

Tej Pratap also took a jab at the ruling party leaders and alleged that the "Nitish Kumar government has failed to curb crime in the state".

"I would like to tell my Opposition leaders, including chief minister Nitish Kumar and deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi, to celebrate Diwali peacefully and worship goddess Lakshmi instead of attacking us," he said. "During the festivities there should not be any political tussle as festivals signify brotherhood and peace. The people of the state are Lalu's family and if they attack Lalu's family they are indirectly attacking the people of Bihar.

"There is anger among the people after the collapse of the Grand Alliance and I bet if Nitish holds a fresh election he would not be able to save his deposit," Tej Pratap said.

He hinted that in future if RLSP's Upendra Kushwaha and HAMS's Jitan Ram Manjhi are interested in defeating "the communal forces", they would get a warm welcome.