Former allies — the BJP and the JD(U) — are trying hard to prove the other’s nexus with the RJD ever since they parted ways. hen former MP Sadhu Yadav met Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi, the JD(U) leaders alleged that he did so at the behest of his brother-in-law and RJD chief Lalu Prasad. The JD(U) faced the music a couple of days later when dance girls performed at its workers’ meetings in Barh and Siwan. Though the JD(U) leaders sounded apologetic, their BJP counterparts were quick to point out that the performance of dance girls in political events was an “RJD culture” and the meetings proved that the JD(U) had come closer to the RJD. “No wonder the state is moving back to the jungle raj days,” said a BJP leader. RJD MLA Samrat Choudhary said the JD(U) leaders were concerned about the exodus of their party workers and used the services of the dance girls to placate the agitated activists. Revenue and land reforms minister Ramai Ram found himself “homeless” when his official house — 31 Hardinge Road — was taken over by “original owners” of the land following a high court order. Unfortunately, the housing department was clueless about the court’s directive to the district administration to give possession of the land on which the ministerial bungalow was built to the original landowners. The owners took its possession when the minister was inside the house. “I have never felt so insulted in my whole life,” said Ramai. The housing department officials said another bungalow would be allotted to the minister. The family background of a lady child development project officer caught accepting bribe recently shocked the vigilance sleuths. “She happens to be married to the nephew of a senior JD(U) Lok Sabha MP — one of the rare honest politicians of the state,” said a senior officer. Kin of several VVIPs are known for making money using their links. Sons and nephews of several politicians run construction business, petrol pumps and auto showrooms. Some also grab prime government contracts. “Apparently, this lady — a government servant — thought she could do the same,” he added. The spokesperson of the JD(U) appears to have hit the sensitive nerves of the BJP, saying the party was confined to Patna as all its key players, including Sushil Kumar Modi, Nand Kishore Yadav and Arun Kumar Sinha, are from the city. “Even others like C.P. Thakur, Shatrughan Sinha and Ravi Shankar Prasad hail from Patna,” said a BJP MLA. “Somehow the key players have always been from Patna,” said a BJP leader, expressing hope that things would be rectified in the NaMo era.
Sunday, 18 May 2025
