Patna,(BiharTimes): Bihar chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi’s  visit to 10-Circular Road––official residence of forner CM  Rabri Devi––to greet RJD chief Lalu Prasad on New Year’s Day  is being interpreted differently in political circle in  Bihar.

Incidentally, Manjhi did not call on his predecessor Nitish  Kumar though the death anniversary of her mother falls on  January 1.

Apparently the chief minister was there to wish Happy New  Year as well as good health to Lalu after his return from  heart operation in Mumbai four months back; but there is  something more than just meet the eye.

After the visit the chief minister said that without Lalu  Prasad’s cooperation, the march of the BJP can not be  stopped in Bihar. As secularism was under threat, the RJD  chief would strengthen anti-communal forces.

Manjhi presented a bouquet to Lalu. His ministers Ramai Ram  and Shyam Rajak were also present on the occasion. RJD legislature party leader Abdul Bari Siddiqui and former  Union minister Kanti Singh also greeted Lalu and Rabri Devi  on the occasion.

Though several of Manjhi’s ministerial colleagues and other  Janata Dal (United) leaders and even state RJD chief, Ram  Chnadra Purvey, called on Nitish Kumr the visit of chief  minister to the official residence of former chief minister  Rabri Devi is being termed as politically significant.

As Lalu’s heart surgery took place in August and Manjhi had already wished him good health long back his  move has other meanings too. Manjhi knows the growing importance of Lalu Prasad Yadav in  the Janata Parivar. The marital relationship with Mulayam  Singh Yadav’s family is going to strengthen the RJD chief  more. 

Manjhi is well aware of the support the RJD is giving to his  government. The RJD, along with the Congress, got 30 per cent  votes in the last Lok Sabha election, which is much more than  the JD(U)-CPI alliance of 17 per cent. “Thus the New Year’s  Day was just an excuse to pay a visit to the emerging boss of  Janata Parivar in Bihar,” commented a political observer.