RJD chief Lalu Prasad speaks to Raghuvansh Prasad Singh at a function in Patna on Friday to celebrate the party’s 17th foundation day. Picture by Deepak Kumar

Patna, July 5: The impending fodder scam verdict in a Ranchi CBI court cast a shadow on the RJD’s 17th foundation day celebrations on Friday.

Party chief Lalu Prasad, who had been going hammer and tongs after chief minister Nitish Kumar since his party’s Maharajganj victory, appeared subdued at the party’s state office. The CBI court was to deliver its judgment on July 15. But after Lalu’s lawyer pleaded he was yet to conclude his argument, the day of judgment has been extended (date is not fixed yet).

Lalu’s supporters — there were around 600, including MLAs and MPs — seemed a demoralised lot, not least because it was a hot and humid day. But then it is not every day that Lalu stresses on unity in the party instead of targeting his prime political adversary.

Midway through his speech, Lalu stopped suddenly. He then began recalling how the party had rallied behind him and his wife, Rabri Devi, when he went to jail in connection with the fodder scam in the 1990s. “A similar situation may arise again and I want all of you to stand united again,” he said, leading to a poignant silence. “I am the commander of this party. Our enemy is dead, divided into two parts. You don’t need to stop. Move ahead in unity. I still remember the day I was going to jail and everybody supported Rabri Devi unanimously,” he said.

“I know that in the coming days, too, our brave soldiers, sitting in front of me, will show the same unity.”

It was a rare occasion when Lalu was more interested in speaking for the party and party workers.

“It’s a demanding situation for the party. The Congress seems more inclined towards our political opponent and they are taking our support for granted. It will be very difficult for the party, if in such a backdrop, our commander goes to jail or is unable to contest,” said an ex-MP, hinting at possible desertions in the party.

Perhaps because of the difficulties ahead, Lalu, who normally takes decisions unanimously, took some suggestions from senior party leader Abdul Bari Siddiqui.

Before Lalu spoke, Siddiqui had said that his suggestion may not be to Lalu’s liking but he wanted to organise a training camp to discipline party workers. Lalu had never taken such suggestions seriously in the past. On Friday, he asked party’s state unit chief Ram Chandra Purbey to keep the show running. “Purbeyji, I want you to create teams and organise a training camp for them. Every party worker should be trained. In fact, I want to announce the place too, It should be in Rajgir. The date will be announced soon.”

Lalu also asked party workers not to believe any rumours of a split in the party. If Lalu is jailed in the contentious case (RC 20 A/96), which relates to illegal withdrawal of Rs 35.66 crore from the Chaibasa treasury, there are fears his opponents might try to break the party.

Not only this, to check the positive response of the party workers and supporters, Lalu asked everyone present over there to raise the hand in air to ensure that party is be united.

It is again for the first time, Buxer MP Jagdanand Singh, his confidante and the person whom he trust most in the party was present on the occasion. In all the previous occasion and important function of the party he did not show his presence.

However, like other leaders, Singh did not come on the stage to address the gathering and chose to sit down among the party workers and supporters.

Few leaders like former minister Mohammad Ali Ashraf Fatmi tried to console him and said, �I truly believe that the fake case which he is facing at present will not affect him and he will emerge victorious as in the pastt.�