Patna, March 21 (IANS) Police protection has been sought for Bihar Congress president Anil Kumar Sharma after an alleged threat by former MP Pappu Yadav, convicted in 2008 for the murder of Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) legislator Ajit Sarkar.

Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee (BPCC) vice president Samir Kumar Singh said Sunday that he Saturday wrote to Bihar police chief Neelmani to provide security to Sharma.

'I informed the police chief about a serious threat to Sharma's life,' Singh told IANS. 'Pappu Yadav threatened Sharma that he will not allow him to move freely.' Yadav denied the allegation.

A Congress leader close to Sharma said Pappu Yadav was angry with Sharma for opposing his entry into the party. Yadav, now on bail, faces dozens of criminal cases including for murder, kidnapping and extortion.