11/04/2015

BJP may like this RJD-JD(U) alliance to grow strong


Patna,(BiharTimes): A couple of days back RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav made it clear that his party is not going to take any action against the rebel party MP, Rajesh Ranjan, alias Pappu Yadav. Those who want to leave are free to go, he declared.


Thus it is clear that the party is not going to expel Pappu nor has it issued any show-cause notice to him. When a few weeks back Pappu met prime minister Narendra Modi, the RJD chief did not deem it fit to ask why he did so.


The reason is very much clear: With RJD, like JD(U), about to submerge its identity in the new merged party Lalu is not so much keen to take action against anyone. If Pappu, or a couple of party MLAs, are not in mood to follow the party line, they are free not to join the new party and contest on whatever ticket they want.


Almost similar is the line being adopted by Janata Dal (United). Both the parties do not want to create martyrs.As Hindustani Awam Morcha has staked claim over the name of Janata Dal (United) and its flag and symbol, Pappu and his men, now working under the banner of Yuva Shakti, may try to keep RJD, its flag and symbol alive.


What would be the strategy if the rump JD(U) and RJD survive? These two parties may go in alliance for the Assembly election as Pappu has, from the very beginning, rooting for former CM, Jitan Ram Manjhi.
Ironically, the BJP would in such a situation like the JD(U) and RJD not only to survive, but grow strong as the two may cut into the votes of the new merged party of the Samajwadis.


Apparently the BJP leaders may say that the mega-merger will have no impact whatsoever, yet the truth is that they are quite realistic and they would certainly see that the tribes of Pappu Yadav and Jitan Ram Manjhi grow. But much depends on the capability of these two leaders to cut the votes of RJD and JD(U).


True Pappu has some clout in the Kosi belt, but outside that region he is no match to Lalu. Manjhi has never been tested alone. Even his own castemen, Bhuniyan, appear to be divided. No doubt, a sizeable section of Mahadalits voted for Narendra Modi last time, but that was a different situation. Reports from the interiors of different parts suggest that a large number of Dalits––of course minus Paswans and to some extent Ravidas (cobblers)––still have high regard for chief minister Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad.


But if Pappu really succeeds in taking some Yadav votes, and Manjhi woos a sizeable section of Dalits the new party may face some problem.Notwithstanding the merga-merger the name of JD(U) and RJD
may continue to be there till the coming Assembly election.


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