State BJP state president Dr C.P. Thakur was one of the few BJP leaders who flew to Ahmedabad to express solidarity with Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi during his three-day fast. Back home, he is reported to have told journalists that there is no need for Modi to come to Bihar. “Nitish Kumar is sufficient to take on the entire Opposition in Bihar,” said Thakur. This is called changing the tune according to where you are,” joked another BJP leader, insisting that Thakur knows to say the right words at the right place. However, the state president is not the only one known to praise two persons who are known to have a mutual dislike for each other. During the Lalu-Rabri era, a Bihar MP used to praise both RJD chief Lalu Prasad and his chief political rival, Nitish Kumar. “It helps to keep both options open,” remarked a seasoned politician. At a meeting of the RJD youth wing, Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Abdul Bari Siddiqui declared that it up to youths to save Bihar. He predicted a dark future for the state under the present NDA regime. The JD(U) leaders were, however, amused. “Well at least Siddiqui saheb has conceded defeat by declaring that the RJD leaders of his generation are incapable of taking on the NDA. Perhaps, he also expressed doubts on the leadership quality of Lalu Prasad,” said a senior JD(U) leader, adding that senior Congress leader Vijay Shankar Dubey had also conceded defeat by refusing to contest the bypoll on the party ticket from Daraunda in Siwan. During the run-up to the orientation camp for the state MLAs, legislators were encouraged to ask the experts questions on how to participate in the proceedings of the Houses. Briefing one of the 87 first-timer MLAs, an ssembly secretariat fficial said he should ask how to frame uestions and introduce a cut motion. The ewcomer was not nterested. He said: “I want to ask questions on the possibility of estoring the local area development fund of MLAs and increasing railway coupons for egislators, as the existing amount is inadequate.” However, the MLA in question belongs to the ruling alliance and the official knew that he would not dare to ask such question in front of his boss, the chief inister. “After feedback from the legislators, I know that they would have liked to ask many such questions, specially about being ignored by officials in their respective constituencies,” added the official. After two months of flip-flop, LJP legislator Naushad Alam has finally joined the JD(U) in the presence of state party chief Basistha Narayan Singh and two senior ministers. Alam was among two of the three LJP MLAs who had written to the Speaker last month declaring their intention to merge with the JD(U). But then, Alam backed out and declared that he was happy to be in the LJP. “It’s a classic case of kabhi haan, kabhi na. How faithful can this MLA be to the party?” fumed another senior party leader, adding that encouraging defection of such MLAs was hardly needed.
Monday, 02 June 2025
