The Lalu-Rabri era saw a mushrooming of khatals (chowsheds). Buses and autos apart, another major hurdle on Patna’s roads, those days, were the roaming cows. hanks to a Patna High Court directive during the Nitish era, most of the khatals were removed. But recently, senior RJD leader Mudrika Singh Yadav said khatals should be included in Patna’s master plan. He said without khatals, residents of the state capital would be unable to get fresh milk. Yadav’s statement appears to have frightened citizens. “Now that the RJD is a part of the alliance, the cows and khatals could return. I do not mind taking packet milk,” said a Boring Road resident. “We see it as another example of the return of Jungle Raj,” joked a BJP leader. A politician visiting 1 Aney Marg - the Bihar chief minister’s official residence - for the first time after Nitish Kumar left and Jitan Ram Manjhi entered was amazed to see the changes. “During the Nitish era, the stretch from the gate to the place where the chief minister sat used to be vacant. Only those the chief minister had called were allowed to walk towards where Nitish sat. I would, at most, spot Nitish’s elder brother walking on the lawns. However, when I went this time I found many strangers waiting inside with gifts in their hands. At least four children - none of them teenagers - were moving around with tablets in their hand. A person was receiving gifts from those people,” said the politician, recalling how Nitish used to frown at people arriving with gifts. A report published in a section of the media suggesting that colleges under Magadh University would be shifted to Patna University sparked off loud protests from the teaching faculty and an eminent teacher announced he would stage a dharna in protest against the “decision”. Education department officials and minister Brishen Patel were bewildered. “I would like the PU teachers to tell me where and when the decision was taken,” Patel remarked, denying any such move. A few years ago student organisations went on a warpath following reports that the government had mooted the idea of introducing sex education in schools. The government had taken no such decision. “Nobody checks facts before launching an agitation against us,” an official mourned. Nitish Kumar’s former friend-turned-foe, former MP Shivanand Tiwari, has joined the BJP in its efforts to sully his clean image by linking him to the alleged medicine purchase scam. Tiwari issued a statement saying he would not be surprised if Nitish is found guilty. He went on to relate his experience with a corrupt excise official from Jharkhand posted in Bihar who got a prime posting despite a warning he (Tiwari) gave to Nitish. “It is interesting how politicians remember the follies of each other when they fall apart,” remarked a BJP leader.
Wednesday, 23 July 2025
