Ranchi: Tej Pratap Yadav met his father Lalu Prasad at Birsa Munda Central Jail for 15 minutes on Monday when, according to sources, the RJD chief told him to stand side by side with his younger brother Tejashwi and strengthen the party in its fight against the BJP.

This was the first time Tej, a former minister in the NitishKumarled JDU-RJD government in Bihar, met Lalu ever since he was convicted in two fodder scam cases, RC 64A/96 and RC 68A/96 cases.

Amid reports that Tej was miffed at his younger brother being given more importance in the party, Lalu is understood to have told him to stand by Tejashwi as these were "testing times" for the family and party.

Sources claimed that Lalu told Tej that it was important for both brothers to stay united and take on the BJP. Tej, who reached Ranchi on Sunday, also met JMM working president Hemant Soren at his Kanke Road residence at night.

After his meeting with Lalu in jail at 10.30am on Monday, Tej accompanied his father o the civil court premises here for fodder scam hearings by a special CBI court.

In fodder case RC 47A/96, related to misappropriation of Rs 139.35 crore from Doranda treasury, special judge Pradeep Kumar recorded statements of the then block animal husbandry officer Ramashankar Prasad.

In RC 38A/96, relating to misappropriation of Rs 3.76 crore from Dumka treasury, special judge Shivpal Singh recorded arguments of supplier Arun Kumar Singh, while former Bihar DGP DP Ojha submitted a medical certificate to seek exemption from personal appearance.

But the court insisted on his appearance on February 1 the next day of hearing.