Patna, Oct 3 (IANS): Political rivals of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad in Bihar welcomed the special CBI court's verdict Thuersday sentencing him to five years in jail in the fodder scam.

Terming it justice after many years and a big message for the corrupt, senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Giriraj Singh said the party's work is over with Lalu Prasad jailed in the fodder scam.

"We are satisfied that at last justice was done in the fodder scam case and Lalu Prasad has been jailed along with others, " he said.

Rajeev Ranjan, spokesperson of the state' ruling Janata Dal-United, also welcomed the court's verdict.

Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP) president Upendra Kushwaha said that justice was delayed but at last done. "It (the verdict) should have come a decade ago," he said.

Left parties said that the sentencing vindicated the people's protracted struggle against corruption in Bihar. "It will serve as a deterrent," said Communist Party of India-Marxist-Leninist leader K.D. Yadav.

Communist Party of India-Marxist state secretary Vijay Kant Thakur said the verdict would send a strong and deterrent message to leaders to be honest while holding important posts.

Communist Party of India leader U.N. Mishra said the verdict "has proved that arms of the law are longer than people think".

However, Lalu Prasad's own RJD described it as a political conspiracy and said it will challenge the verdict in a higher court soon. "It is nothing but a political conspiracy. RJD will counter it in high court," party MP Ram Kripal Yadav said here.

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