Deadly prayers

Senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi created a flutter when he alleged that health minister Tej Pratap Yadav was conducting a puja to eliminate his enemies because he (Sushil) had levelled a series of corruption charges against Lalu and his family. Modi asserted that he did not fear or believe in such pujas. Tej Pratap is a devout believer in tantra, puja and Vastu Shastra.

He recently got the front gates of his bungalow blocked and began using the back gate on the advice of an astrologer. In private conversation, RJD leaders said Tej Pratap was keen on holding a markesh puja (offered when times are bad), "but Lalu asked him to stop it". An RJD leader recalled a mega puja was organised at 1 Aney Marg when the fodder scam cases began to pile up. "But all politicians are superstitious when trouble comes," he said. "One should check Sushil Modi's house to know if any puja is being organised there to counter the effects of Tej Pratap's puja."

Brotherhood pangs

Secretariat employees have noticed positive changes in Lalu's sons' attitude towards each other ever since the BJP started accusing the RJD chief's family members of acquiring property through front companies. "Previously, the two brothers (deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav and health minister Tej Pratap Yadav) came in separate cars and left without even looking at each other," said a secretariat official. "Ever since the BJP began levelling charges, the two have been arriving in the same vehicle and leaving together - rushing to their SUV to avoid the media. The charges seem to be helping them bond better."

Such ingratitude

A photo Union minister Giriraj Singh recently uploaded on social media has become the talk in political circles and angered BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi's supporters. The photograph shows Modi paying a visit to Giriraj's house to enquire about his health as the minister had been unwell. Giriraj referred to Modi as a "senior party worker" and a former ministerial colleague. "Not long ago, Giriraj used to acknowledge Sushil Modi as his leader," remarked an angry BJP leader known for his proximity to Modi. "It was Modi who got him inducted in the Nitish government and played a key role in getting him the Nawada Lok Sabha seat. Now, he has become a Union minister and thinks he is a bigger than Modi."