Nitish campaign may weaken BJP, Lalu tries to bridge Samajwadi, Congress gap

Though on paper he had fielded candidates in 200-odd seats yet he had not campaigned for anyone of them. This in spite of the fact that the first round of election is just a week away from now. Thus in all practical purpose the RJD has withdrawn its candidates.

Till Jan 28 Lalu was busy in the high profile marriage of his fourth daughter, Ragini, to the son of a Samajwadi-turn-Congress leader. Sources said that he was instrumental in assuring Congress ticket to his Samadhi, only days after he crossed over from the Samajwadi Party.

Though Nitish’s efforts may weaken alliance partner BJP, Lalu is doing everything to bring the Congress and Samajwadi Party a bit closer so that there may be post-poll alliance in case of hung Assembly.

Since RJD has lost much of its bargaining position after repeated defeats in 2009 and 2010 Lok Sabha and Assembly elecitons respectively this was the best Lalu could do. On the other hand Nitish wants to get some votes so that his party could get national recognition. Besides, he wants to make strong his bargaining position in the BJP-dominated the National Democratic Alliance.

Lalu is reportedly cultivating his relationship with Mulayam. They both spoke in the same vein on the issue of Lokpal Bill. Thus he is now in the good book of Sonia Gandhi too. By tearing off a copy of the Bill on the last day of the Winter Session his party’s Rajya Sabha MP Rajniti Prasad virtually solved the problem of the Congress party.

Lalu is less interested in the UP Assembly election. Rather he is doing everything for his own personal self and revival of the RJD in Bihar.

By keeping himself virtually away from the heat of campaign in UP he has, in a way, given ample signal to both Congress and Samajwadi Party not to queer his pitch in Bihar in future elections.

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