Friends in Jharkhand are foes in Bihar

Patna,(BiharTimes): In Jharkhand JMM, Congress and RJD alliance is understandable as they have a history of joining hands. But what is happening there is that two Janata Dal (United) MLAs are also likely to throw their weight behind the alliance to make it pass the magic figure of 41 in the House of 81.

But in the changing political scenario it is not difficult to understand how Janata Dal (United), till sometimes back a part of BJP-led government in that state, crossed over to join the alliance which also include Lalu Yadav’s party RJD, which has five MLAs in that state.

Political observers are somewhat befuddled by this fast changing political scene in the two states. But what is more surprising is the statement from Congress leader, Shakeel Ahmed––who played a crucial role in sewing up this alliance––made a few days back in Darbhanga. He said the Jharkhand agreement is not applicable in Bihar.

It raises a pertinent question how can it be possible for one state and not for other. After all Congress has in all practical purposes joined forces with Nitish Kumar’s party in Bihar. The four MLAs of the party gave crucial support to the JD(U) government during the trust vote on June 19 last. The state government was just short of four legislators in the Assembly.

Thus, all out of sudden, in both the states Congress will have important say in formation of the governments. In Jharkhand JMM has 18 and Congress 14 MLAs. It contested the 2009 Assembly election with Babulal Marandi’s Jharkhand Vikas Morha, which won 11 seats. But the alliance collapsed later on.

RJD president Lalu Prasad has reportedly asked Congress during the talks on formation of government in Jharkhand whether it would be with JD(U) in Bihar too.

Many RJD leaders are upset over growing proximity between Congress and JD(U).

However, Congress leaders be it the Bihar incharge C P Joshi or Shakeel Ahmed are repeatedly stating that their party’s support to the Nitish Kumar government is only tactical to keep communal forces at bay. But the way things are moving suggest that something is cooking up, feel analysts.