Patna,(BiharTimes): “A friend in need is a friend indeed,” wrote the Bard of Avon, William Shakespeare.

Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad Yadav proved this on June 19 when he ensured that 18 out of 21 of his party’s MLAs voted for the two Janata Dal (United) candidates for the Rajya Sabha by-poll. 

The result has proved beyond doubt that the victory of the two candidates was possible only because of the eleventh hour decision of the Rashtriya Janata Dal to back its two candidates Pawan Verma and Ghulam Rasool Balyawi.

While Pawan Verma got 122 votes Anil Kumar Sharma, who was backed by the BJP and 17 rebel Janata Dal (United) MLAs, got 108 votes. 

On the other hand Balyawi got 123 votes against Sabir Ali 107. The latter got 16 votes of Janata Dal (United) rebels.

Had 18 out of 21 MLAs of the RJD not voted for the official Janata Dal (United) candidates they would have lost to the Independents. Two others indulged in cross voting while Kedarnath Singh, an absconder in a case, did not turn up to vote. 

So Lalu Prasad Yadav’s help came at the most crucial time for Janata Dal (United), till recently its arch rival. 

One may argue that the Jitan Ram Manjhi government would have survived the trust vote on May 22 without the support of the RJD, but the case on June 19 was totally different.

What is strange is that while Lalu largely managed to keep his flock together, two of the four Congress legislators indulged in cross-voting. Incidentally, three out of four party MLAs are Muslims.

Though the BJP lost the battle it succeeded in shaking the very foundation on which the JD(U) stands. Nitish Kumar had to throw all principles to wind, to seek help from Lalu Prasad, whom he ridiculed when he offered unconditional support to the Manjhi government on the eve of May 22 trust vote.

Finally Nitish has realized that he may face more challenges in days ahead. So a new political realignment is very much on card in Bihar.