Drive to Nalanda at snail’s pace

Chief minister Nitish Kumar drew flak for launching several projects in Nalanda, his home constituency. Though it is seen as a favoured destination for the future investments, an official of a central undertaking had a nightmarish experience during his visit to Rajgir recently. He got stuck in the infamous jam near Fatuha. It took more than an hour to get out of the jam and I was late for an appointment in Patna by more than 90 minutes,” the official said, swearing that he would never advise anyone to invest in Nalanda. Nitish will have to build a super highway to Nalanda or introduce a chopper service if he wanted private investment there. Incidentally, in the days of Lalu Prasad's regime, an NRI meet witnessed many prospective investors making road trips to the proposed investment sites. All of them pledged never to return after their traumatic experience.

 

Opposition tradition

The number of RJD MLAs has drastically declined in the current Assembly. But they have not given up a tradition they have been carrying on from the previous Assembly - staging demonstrations at the portico of the House with placards on some issue or the other, like inadequate power supply, law and order situation, academic anarchy, non-payment of salaries to teachers and Indira Awas Yojana. “It’s been a long session and we were running out of ideas,” said an RJD MLA, pointing out that the ritual was for the electronic media and photographers who are not allowed inside the building premises. NDA MLAs appear amused. “Why don’t you stage a demonstration in our favour and for special status to Bihar?” asked a JD (U) MLA jokingly.

 

Expulsion irony

Two of the four MPs suspended from the JD (U), Mangani Lal Mandal and Sushil Singh, have decided to maintain low profile now. But Lallan Singh and Upendra Kumar Kushwaha have vowed to take their fight to a logical end. The JD (U) leaders are finding the new “couple” amusing. “At one time Kushwaha left the JD (U) blaming Lallan for his ouster. Lallan quit the post of the party state president blaming Kushwaha for his humiliation within the party. Today, they are together,” said a senior leader.

 

 

Positive response

While giving replies in the Assembly, ministers are very particular about giving positive answers to questions related to Nalanda, the home district of Bihar chief minister. Issues raised by two JD (U) MLAs from Nalanda — Srawan Kumar and Hari Narayan Singh - saw ministers assuring them of getting their jobs done soon. “Every MLA wants to epresent Nalanda. They ould only have to express their wish and it would be immediately fulfilled,” said a non-Nalanda JD (U) MLA.