Favourite of CM, Lallans walk away with cake

Lallan appears to be the most hated name in the JD(U). Before 2009, Rajiv Ranjan alias Lallan Singh was considered close to chief minister Nitish Kumar and was reported to be the “real power” behind the throne. During that time, JD(U) leaders complained about the “arrogance” of Lallan Singh and many of them were happy when the JD(U) MP revolted and was suspended from the party (he returned to the JD-U fold earlier this year). t present, JD(U) leaders and even ministers are bitterly complaining about another Lallan - Lallan Saraf (the chief of the traders' cell of the party). “This Lallan does not even acknowledge the existence of ministers because of the proximity with Nitish Kumar,” said a JD(U) minister, insisting that all “Lallans” become arrogant when they get close to power. However, the bitterness against this Lallan appears more as they feel that those enjoying proximity with the CM fail to give him the real ground-level feedback.

Farming jab

After jibes taken by the BJP on chief minister Nitish Kumar on his ignorance about the state of sugarcane growers, it was former deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi who faced the same music. Modi in a statement, a few days ago, said the delay in announcing the minimum support price was hitting sugarcane harvesting and it would have adverse impact on sowing of paddy for the farmers. The JD(U) was quick to point out that Modi did not know anything about farming. “Paddy is not grown in the fields, which grow sugarcane,” said a JD(U) leader.

Nalanda plan

On Tuesday, BJP MLA Prem Ranjan Patel was present at a function at the BJP state office for the entrance of “fresh” JD(U) workers and leaders from the native district of chief minister Nitish Kumar. The state president of the BJP, Mangal Pandey, applauded the role of Patel for bringing in political workers from the CM’s home district and revealed that though the MLA won from Surajgarha in Lakhisaria district, he basically hailed from Harnaut in Nalanda. One BJP leader was quick to point out that the BJP MLA’s mother was still an officer-bearer in the JD(U). “Why does he not bring in his mother to the BJP?” asked the other BJP leader. Pandey was quick to remark: “If his mother joins us who will send us JD(U) workers from JD(U) to the BJP?”

Jai-Veeru couple

When the convicted RJD leader, Vijay Krishna, and chief minister Nitish Kumar were in the student agitation days, Sholay released and was immensely popular among the masses. An old-timer recalled that Nitish and Vijay were called “Jai-Veeru ki jodi” (the names of Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra in the film) because they were always seen together. “You could not have imagined seeing one and not seeing the other at any time of the day,” he remarked. Now Jai has become the chief minister and Veeru is in jail, he added.