Thumbs up for MP with rare talent
When R.C. Prasad (popularly called RCP) was principal secretary to chief minister Nitish Kumar during NDA’s first term, he appeared to have many critics among the IAS officials in the state. However, ever since he quit the IAS and became a Rajya Sabha JD (U) MP, RCP appears to have become popular among the same group of officials.
RCP was after all quite senior and showed respect for other officials. He knew how to make the right queries. After he left, he was replaced by half-a-dozen junior officials who do not know how to make proper queries, fumed a senior IAS official, insisting that many of his colleagues would rather move to New Delhi than work with the newly appointed officials. Better if RCP starts handling the CM’s secretariat unofficially. Many are not adverse to the idea.
The move of the RJD to introduce a printed syllabus for its workers has failed to generate positive response from party leaders. “Budhha sugga nayee cheez seekhta hai kya (does an old parrot learn new things)?” asked a senior party leader. The RJD has a track record of announcing programmes and agitations with much enthusiasm and then forgetting about them. A few years ago, it swore to include over one crore new members in the party. Later the move was practically forgotten. Just before the Assembly polls, RJD chief Lalu Prasad announced a “Jail bharo” campaign against the “misdeeds” of the Nitish government throughout the state. A few symbolic shows were organised but the programme eventually remained inconclusive. “Similarly the book designed for party workers and leaders would probably remain untouched by most members,” remarked a former MLA of the party. Former BJP MLA Phalguni Prasad Yadav is always seen sitting in the lobby meant for MLAs of the Opposition parties, which is popularly known as the “Naa Kakchh”. Yadav was one of the few BJP MLAs who lost in the Assembly polls. What makes his defeat even more painful is the fact that he lost his seat to the son of JD (U) minister Narendra Singh. The son had contested on a JMM ticket from Chakai Assembly seat in Jamui district. “There is no reason for Phalguni Babu to sit in the Haan Kakchh (lobby meant for ruling party MLAs). He knows that there is no space for him left there. He is doing the right thing by sitting in this lobby where he can take a decision to stand on another party's ticket five years later,” said an Opposition MLA. There was growing concern among JD (U) politicians and workers over “Boss” Nitish Kumar’s increasing waist line. If sources are to be believed, the worry is over and the Bihar chief minister is now following a diet prescribed by a Delhi-based dietician. “This may be one of the reasons why the chief minister has stopped eating food cooked anywhere other than his home,” said an official, pointing out that even when the CM is inaugurating a function or participating in an event, he skips the dinners and lunch. Those who know the chief minister closely point out that he has been very careful about his food habits and usually sticks to a fat-free diet. It’s a complete contrast to the food habits of his political rivals — Lalu Prasad and Ram Vilas Paswan. Both of them love oily non-vegetarian food. After becoming the chief minister, Nitish also developed a taste for oily pakauras. But now, he seems to be avoiding even his favourite snacks.
