Contending he had learnt from the "mistakes" that led to his Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) being ousted from Bihar after 15 years in power, Railway Minister Lalu Prasad says he has turned a new leaf and won't repeat the errors of the past.

"I made mistakes (in the past) but will not do so this time," Lalu Prasad told IANS, even as he has unofficially kicked off the campaign for state polls expected later this year.

And, in a major departure from the past, he has decided against using helicopters during the campaign as he has realised that this mode of transport had alienated him from the voters.

"This time, I will use helicopters very little. I will go by road to the villages, where my real voters live," he maintained.

Not only will he visit villages, he will dine there and even stay for the night - to re-connect with the people, as he put it.

This is an admission that his image of mass-based politician has taken a severe knock in rural Bihar and which calls for corrective measures.

The RJD had lost power in the February polls that threw up a hung assembly, which was dissolved last month as a government could not be formed.

Lalu Prasad now admits that the defeat was largely due to wrong candidates being fielded, grievances of party workers being ignored and not taking steps to avoid splitting the secular vote.

"Only good persons will be given the ticket in the next polls," Lalu Prasad said.

This itself has sent a strong message among party workers and leaders that Lalu Prasad means business and will do everything to ensure the RJD returns to power.

This apart, in the name of inaugurating railway projects, Lalu Prasad has been moving across Bihar to reach out to his supporters, as also his allies like the Congress and the Left parties, unlike what happened the last time around.

He said he would ensure that the RJD ticket was given only to right candidates on the recommendation of the party's district committees.

The last time, party leaders had flayed Lalu Prasad for depriving genuine workers of tickets.
 
Some RJD leaders, including party spokesperson Shivanand Tiwari and central minister Raghuvansh Prasad Singh, had publicly expressed their strong reservations about the manner in which the ticket was given.

Lalu Prasad has also directed party men not to include anti-social or criminal elements in the RJD during the ongoing membership drive launched last week.

All this must surely be giving sleepless nights to his rivals - but the proof of the pudding will come only when the results are out. Till then, even Lalu Prasad would be keeping his fingers crossed.