Dal sees red over NK’s parting shot

Former bureaucrat and JD(U) Rajya Sabha MP N.K. Singh recently said in Delhi the positive developments in Bihar were because of the NDA leadership and not a single individual (read Nitish) or party. His parting shot for Nitish has made sections of JD(U) leaders livid. ingh, along with Shivanand Tiwari and Shabir Ali, was denied a fresh term in the Upper House by Nitish. The chief minister instead told the former finance secretary to contest the Lok Sabha polls from the unfamiliar terrain of Banka. Since Nitish’s split with the BJP last June, JD(U) leaders have been busy claiming Bihar’s turnaround was solely because of Nitish. So, the outgoing MP’s statement has made them livid. “NK was always close to Arun Jaitley. He has just said this to please his friend,” said a JD(U) MLA. Former BJP ministers have although been saying that Nitish, as chief minister, is reluctant to give credit to his ministers for any good work they do. “He does not give credit even to the JD(U) ministers. He tries to present everything as his own achievement,” said a former BJP minister.

Jugaad or not

Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Nand Kishore Yadav keeps attacking the chief minister for perfecting the art of “jugaad (making arrangements through fair or foul method)” whenever Nitish Kumar challenges the BJP to move a no-confidence motion against the government. “Had I been so skilled in jugaad technology, our government in 2000 would have survived,” retorted Nitish. Old timers, even in the BJP, declare that he is right. “Instead of getting in contact with the Congress leaders (the Congress held the key for government formation after the 2000 Assembly polls), he waited for the Congress leaders to contact him. They never came and Lalu Prasad won them over,” said a BJP leader, wondering how Nitish could be so naive.

Poll name mystery

BJP leaders have been boasting that political circles and media would be stunned once the party announces its candidates for the Madhepura and Supaul parliamentary seats. They, however, remain tight-lipped about the two names and even deny that former minister Ravindra Charan Yadav (who recently joined the BJP) was the candidate for Madhepura. This has worried the JD(U) camp, which is trying its best to dig out the two names. “Is it Sharad Yadav?” one worried JD(U) leader asked his BJP friend. The leader although said he had no clue and it was a well-guarded secret. There are several “mystery” names floating in the political circles, including that of former MP Pappu Yadav who has been keeping his cards close to his chest.

Absent, Sir!

MLAs, cutting across party lines, are conspicuous by their absence in the current Assembly session. Vijay Kumar Mishra (BJP), Surendar Yadav (RJD) and Chhedi Paswan — to name just a few — are some of the absent legislators. When BJP leaders walk into the Well of the House, there are never more than 70 of the 91 MLAs. The RJD has around 13 of its 22 MLAs. There are already strong rumours that the RJD is heading towards a split, as a section of its MLAs would be joining the JD(U). “I thought these things would happen after the Lok Sabha polls, but it is happening much before,” said a JD(U) minister.