Patna: RJD chief Lalu Prasad's decision to hold rallies across districts against demonetisation on November 8 may have surprised political observers, but his partymen know it is essential to keep the morale of party workers high.

"The family is under intense pressure since Lalu, Rabri, Tejashwi, Misa and now Tej Pratap are facing various probes," said a senior RJD leader. "It is a great challenge for Lalu that his party workers and leaders do not get demoralised."

In his hey days, Lalu used to call rallies once a year. Gareeb Raila, Bhadaphor Raila, Sadbhavna Rally are names of some of the rallies he held in Patna. The purpose was to send a message to his supporters and followers. The rallies proved to be festive occasions in which supporters assembled and were provided food and entertainment.

Today, the RJD says it cannot afford rallies. "However, within a week Lalu has announced a mega rally at Gandhi Maidan - without giving specific dates," said an RJD MLA. "Rallies are now more about political survival. The situation must be bad," he added.

Never before has the party faced such a grave situation. The CBI, income tax (I-T) department and the enforcement directorate (ED) are grilling Lalu's family members. Rabri Devi has twice given ED the skip, pleading for more time on health grounds. Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, who was expected to step into his father's shoes, has been missing from Bihar for the past month. Once the courts reopen after Chhath, RJD Lalu will again get busy making court appearances in Ranchi.

RJD leaders said all this is happening at a time when the party has to be even more aggressive in 2018, as Lok Sabha elections are just the year after. "Laluji can sense that victory is possible and there is disenchantment among the masses against Nitish," said a former RJD MP. "There are several things going against the state government. The law and order situation has yet to improve and it goes against the public perception that law and order suffers only when the RJD is in power.

Also, the crackdown against the sand mafia has crippled construction and led to unemployment among daily labourers. Disenchantment among the masses goes the party's core voters - Muslims and Yadavs. But party workers and leaders have to be active to encash this disenchantment."

This is where holding of rallies comes in. It has helped Lalu send vibrant messages in the past. Within the next year, Lalu has to prove to the people of Bihar that he and his party are alive and kicking.

"Since Lalu ji's health condition and his pre-occupation with central agencies does not allow him to hit the streets, the best way to send a message across is by holding rallies," said a close confidant of the RJD chief.