Congress torn apart between RJD-LJP and JD(U)

Patna,(BiharTimes): RJD chief Lalu Prasad is keeping a low profile these days as a special CBI court in Ranchi is scheduled to pronounce its judgement in a crucial fodder scam case related to the withdrawal of Rs 37.70 crore from Chaibasa (now in Jharkhand) treasury on July 15.

Earlier he had filed a petition seeking transfer of fodder scam case to another court as he said that the CBI judge, P K Singh, is related to Bihar’s education minister, P K Shahi.

Political observers are of the view that much of the fate of RJD-Congress alliance depends on the ruling. If the court punishes Lalu than his supporters would certainly allege that the Congress is using the CBI for political purpose. Lalu himself may not say anything on the issue as he avoids direct confrontation with the Congress leadership.

After the split in the NDA Lalu has been advocating for a grand alliance of all secular forces, but the Congress gave him a shock by coming to the rescue of the Nitish government. The way the Congress ministers are making a beeline to Bihar––the latest being Minorities’ Affairs Minister, K Rahman Khan on Wednesday––has created uneasiness among the RJD leaders.

It remains to be seen as to how the JD(U)-Congress friendship works in the absence of RJD-LJP-Congress alliance. Analysts are not sure of the electoral tie-up between the two parties. If Congress went alone in 2009 and 2010 elections and refused to have seat-sharing arrangement with much accommodative Lalu and Ram Vilas Paswan, how would the alliance work in case with Nitish who, after the breakup with good friend BJP, is now much less trustworthy. LJP has already rejected any truck with JD(U).

It is because of this reason that a section of Congress leaders are not in favour of rushing for an alliance with the JD(U). Some others are of the view that if the choice is between Nitish and Lalu, it is the latter who should be chosen because of his past record of loyalty. Former state Youth Congress chief Lalan Kumar, holds this view.

However, some others are talking about UP type situation where both SP and BSP are supporting the UPA.