Vocal KC versus loyal RC

After the JDU formally announced its candidates for the Rajya Sabha, the usually media friendly K.C. Tyagi went off the radar. His supporters are angry over Nitish Kumar preferring R.C Prasad over Tyagi. “Tyagi was the most recognised face of the JDU and very vocal when it came to defending Nitish Kumar,” said a Tyagi supporter in the party. “On the other hand what contribution has Prasad made in his six-year tenure in the Rajya Sabha? He is faceless and nobody knows what exactly he does.” However, JDU leaders pointed out that Prasad has been a trusted aide of Nitish since the chief minister was Union railway minister and Prasad was a UP-cadre IAS officer. “RCP also hails from the same district — Nalanda — and the same caste. Obviously there are things which RCP can do which Tyagi cannot,” insisted a senior JDU leader.

RJD heartburn

The announcement of Rajya Sabha candidates is not only causing heartburn in the JDU but also the RJD. Even before the RJD could officially announce its candidates everyone knew the names - Misa Bharti and Ram Jethmalani. Jailed Siwan don and former MP Mohammad Shahabuddin is reported to have refused a legislative council nomination for his wife, Hina Saheb, and former Rajya Sabha MP Dr M. Ejaz ALi has complained bitterly about Lalu ignoring the rights of the minority. “Laluji is nominating Ram Jethmalani in the hope that the lawyer will get him acquitted in all fodder scam cases. But that is not going to happen,” Ali declared. RJD circles point out that the jab at Lalu may have cost Ali a legislative council seat that was being considered by the RJD chief. “But the truth is that nobody in the party has the guts to take on promotion of dynasty which is being strengthened by the nomination of Misa Bharti. That is why they are picking on Jethmalani to air their frustration,” quipped a RJD leader. 

Dangerous Manjhi

Yesterday’s attack on the convoy of former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi has got security men in Patna talking. “Manjhiji is always a dangerous man to provide security to. He never follows the timetable. He frequently changes his routes which have been sanitised by us. He goes frequently to Gaya, which is Maoist infested. We are always scared when we cover him,” said a government security man. Others still remember the frequent jams in Patna caused by Manjhi when he was chief minister because the roads had to be blocked for his convoy for long periods because he never left in the specified time.