RJD chief Lalu Prasad's 10 Circular Road home saw celebrations galore on Sunday and Monday, with people streaming in to congratulate the two scions Tej Pratap and Tejaswi who won their respective elections from Mahua and Raghopur and Monday being the younger Tejaswi's birthday. There was also the small matter of a historic victory for the party.
And while political circles might be agog with speculation on whether Lalu's sons would shine in the new Nitish Kumar cabinet, Rabri Devi signalled there was no hurry to hoist them beyond their reach.
"The people of Mahua and Raghopur have voted for my sons and now they are MLAs. As far as any ministerial berth is concerned, it is all depends on the situation; there is no pressure at all," Rabri told The Telegraph on Monday, amid a large number of women supporters of the party who had come to celebrate a historic victory at Lalu's residence. "Whatever responsibility they get, they will accept it as a challenge."
She added: "Ever since both of them won, there is talk going on in the political circles about them getting premier ministerial berths including the post of deputy chief minister. However, Lalu has already announced that it will all depend on chief minister Nitish Kumar to take the final call on this issue."
Before the Assembly elections, Lalu had announced that if the RJD formed government along with the JDU and the Congress, both his sons would get big responsibilities in the functioning of the government.
Tejaswi, whose birthday cake was cut past midnight on Sunday, and his older brother Tej Pratap were mingling with people from their respective constituencies who had come to congratulate them.
"Till 2am, we were busy and people were gathering in large numbers after the Assembly results," Rabri said. "I am happy that both my sons have won the election; it was my dream that one day both of them would become MLAs and finally that dream has come true. Today being the birthday of Tejaswi, I have given my blessings to him and asked him to work hard for the constituency. I have given to my older son similar directions as well; they must spent quality time in their constituencies to live up to the expectation of the voters."
This year she will celebrate Chhath in a grand way, she added, because the family did not celebrate the festival last year due to Lalu's heart operation.
Rabri offered Tejaswi a motichur laddoo, and Lalu gave him a bouquet for his birthday.
Of Lalu and Rabri's seven daughters and two sons, the youngest daughter, Raj Lakshmi, got married this year. Rabri said she had big plans for her eldest daughter, Misa Bharti.
"People should not be confused about the role of Misa; she will contest the next Lok Sabha election and nothing else," Rabri said. "If my other daughters are interested in contesting elections, they can also do it."
Rabri also announced that she would accompany Lalu on his promised countrywide tour to consolidate support against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government.
"Saheb (Lalu) has said that he will launch a nationwide protest against Narendra Modi. I will also accompany him," Rabri said. "The kind of language he (Modi) used during the election was unacceptable and people have started hating him. Prices of all essential commodities are rising but the PM is doing nothing. Apart from being a politician I am also a homemaker who knows the kitchen budget very well."
