Patna,(BiharTimes): The likely resignation of the Rajya Sabha MP of Rashtriya Janata Dal Ram Kripal Yadav, may in some way, be much bigger blow to the party than the open ‘revolt’ by 13 MLAs last month. Lalu Prasad managed to somewhat overcome that crisis by winning over nine of these rebels.

The party than partially blamed the delay on the part of the Congress to announce the alliance as the reason behind this rebellion. But in this latest case none but Lalu Prasad himself is to blame for the crisis either by Ram Kripal Yadav, or Ghulam Ghouse or even reportedly by Ram Badan Rai, who has been denied ticket from Munger.

By ignoring Ram Kripal Yadav and allotting ticket to his daughter, Misa Bharati, the RJD supremo Lalu Yadav said that he did so under the people’s pressure. But the fact is that Ram Kripal Yadav himself is a mass leader and draws support from the people cutting across the caste and community lines.

He has always been a trusted lieutenant of Lalu Prasad Yadav. He was very much upset in 2009 when he was denied ticket from Patliputra Lok Sabha seat as Lalu himself decided to contest both from Saran and here. Ram Kripal reluctantly agreed and made a sacrifice for the larger cause of the party.

Many political observers are of the view that Ram Kripal would have won that election by defeating Ranjan Yadav of Janata Dal (United) as he had better mass support. Patliputra has a sizeable Yadav population yet Lalu lost by a small margin simply because it was easy to polarize votes against him. Had Ram Kripal been there he would have made it.

Analysts are of the view that Lalu’s weakness for family may cost him dearly this time too. Party rank and file reluctantly accepted Rabri Devi’s candidature, but they do not want the interference of sons and daughters. The ‘salas’ (brother-in-laws) have already inflicted a huge blow to the party and his own image. Yet the RJD chief has refused to learn any lesson.

It was the allotment of ticket for Rajya Sabha to one of the brother-in-laws, Subhash Yadav, that prompted Shivanand Tiwary to quit the party in 2008. He then crossed over to the Janata Dal (United).

What is strange is that Lalu Yadav has bungled his chance of staging a partial comeback. Many political observers are of the view that along with the Congress, his party was in a better position to check the Narendra Modi wave, than Nitish Kumar. But he had himself spoiled the chance.

If Ram Kripal crosses over to BJP it would be an irony of a sort as he was among the leaders who had always spoken against the saffron brigade and Narendra Modi as well as Nitish Kumar too.

His crossing over to the BJP and not Janata Dal (United) clearly suggests that the Yadavs are moving towards the BJP in a big number.

If this really happens it would be a matter of concern for Lalu Yadav as Nitish Kumar is trying his level best to woo a sizeable Muslim votes. With the BJP no more his partner he may to much extent succeed in his bid.