Congress president Sonia Gandhi might not attend the RJD's August 27 mega anti-BJP rally at Gandhi Maidan in Patna, which now runs the risk of ending up as just another Lalu Prasad show.
Lalu himself hinted on Wednesday that Sonia may not attend. "But Ghulam Nabi Azad will be there. Madam Sonia Gandhi has sent a message. Rahul Gandhi may come," the RJD chief said.
Congress leaders of Bihar, however, said it would not be proper of Rahul to attend.
"Half the state is reeling under floods. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will come to Bihar on August 26 to survey the flood situation. How will it look if Rahul comes to Bihar just to attend a political rally and be photographed with a person who is facing corruption charges?" a senior Congress MLA said.
The MLA recalled how Rahul had torn an ordinance to allow convicted politicians to contest elections during the UPA days and that chief minister Nitish Kumar had pointed out the incident during his recent meeting with Rahul.
Many RJD workers are upset over the likely absence of Sonia and Rahul in the Desh Bachao BJP Bhagao (save nation, oust BJP) rally despite the Congress backing Lalu against Nitish in the fight between the two before the collapse of the Grand Alliance government on July 26.
"The presence of either Sonia or Rahul would have given a national image to the rally," an RJD leader admitted under cover of anonymity.
"The presence of Azad and (Congress Bihar minder) C.P. Joshi will not have the same effect."
BSP chief Mayawati has already said she will not attend the rally but her representative Satish Chandra Mishra will represent her party. When Mayawati quit the Rajya Sabha this July protesting against the chair for not allowing her to speak, Lalu had promptly offered a Rajya Sabha seat from Bihar since she is a prominent Dalit face. It, however, appears she is not ready to share the stage with rival Akhilesh.
Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, former UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav and NCP chief Sharad Pawar will attend the rally, Lalu said.
Many RJD leaders, however, feel that Pawar has been a Trojan Horse in the Opposition ranks. They recall how the NCP decided to vote for the BJP candidate in the recent Gujarat Rajya Sabha polls.
"He may end up either by not turning up or sending a representative," said a senior RJD leader.
Rebel JDU leader Sharad Yadav will, however, attend the rally. The JDU has made it clear it would move for his disqualification from the Rajya Sabha the moment he appears on the stage with Lalu.
Lalu had announced a rally early this year against demonetisation. However, after the BJP pulled off a stunning victory in the Uttar Pradesh elections, he changed the agenda and has been trying to make the rally a show of Opposition unity.
