Eleven years in jail and finally Mohammad Shahabuddin, a former or
still a close aide of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad is out on bail. And the
former Siwan MP wastes no time to shower tributes on his 'mentor.'
According to him, Nitish Kumar became the Bihar Chief Minister due to circumstances, a statement challenged by both Kumar's JD (U) and ally Congress. However, a section of the third segment of the Mahagathbandhan, RJD has actually endorsed Shahabuddin's view on Kumar and his acumen as a lawmaker. Hindustan Times quotes Raghuvansh Prasad Singh, a senior Lalu loyalist, "There is no denying that Lalu Prasad is the real leader. Does Nitish have the strength (to form a government)?"
What was perceived to be a strong front to stymie the Narendra Modi tide in the Bihar elections last year seems to be crumbling. When long-time foes Kumar and Prasad buried the hatchet to launch a fight against BJP, eyebrows were raised. Many doubted the viability of the alliance, keeping in mind the acrimony the two had for each other that even percolated down to a personal level.
Now thanks to Shahabuddin, a war of words, putting the alliance at stake seems a possibility. Despite Kumar's image of a no-nonsense man having controlled crime and ushered in a new era of development in Bihar in his earlier term, the current reign has been mired in one controversy after another. Be it the education scam, hooch tragedy or series of murders and an overall complete breakdown in law and order, Kumar is finding going tough. His overdrive on prohibition has only opened new doors for smuggling of liquors from neighbouring states.
The prohibition bill did meet with sharp resistances. Though Prasad's party supported the bill on the floor of the assembly, a report in The Telegraph says that the former Union Railways Minister (Prasad) termed the bill 'draconian.' If this is one part, the ambitious leader Prasad is, it's quite unlikely that he would recede to the background and let his 'friend' Kumar hog the limelight. Prasad may be banned from contesting by the Courts, but deep down, he still nurtures ambitions to rule the state.
This is exactly where Shahabuddin gets a big role to play. Though, Prasad hasn't reacted to Shahabuddin's salvo at the Bihar CM, but knowing him and his prowess over the art of political manipulations, he knows he has a lieutenant who can muddle Kumar's run towards political and administrative glory. Politically, the next few days will bear testimony to where exactly the alliance is heading. It would be interesting to note how Prasad deals with Shahabuddin. Will he desert him or use him tactically to pull the rug from under Kumar's feet?
However, only a fool will conclude Prasad will be juvenile enough to attack the CM. He would do it at his own expense and Congress won't be party to it. It will only give a fillip to a beleaguered BJP to enjoy some fresh air. But at the same time, Prasad won't be letting go of this opportunity to breathe down the neck of his foe-turned-friend.
For Kumar, the acid test begins now. Instead of going overboard on prohibition, he should focus on curbing crime and corruption and thwart every attempt to challenge his government. It's going to be a tough ask, but being the seasoned politician, Kumar is, he should be ready for the challenge.
Bihar is back in the national limelight.
According to him, Nitish Kumar became the Bihar Chief Minister due to circumstances, a statement challenged by both Kumar's JD (U) and ally Congress. However, a section of the third segment of the Mahagathbandhan, RJD has actually endorsed Shahabuddin's view on Kumar and his acumen as a lawmaker. Hindustan Times quotes Raghuvansh Prasad Singh, a senior Lalu loyalist, "There is no denying that Lalu Prasad is the real leader. Does Nitish have the strength (to form a government)?"
What was perceived to be a strong front to stymie the Narendra Modi tide in the Bihar elections last year seems to be crumbling. When long-time foes Kumar and Prasad buried the hatchet to launch a fight against BJP, eyebrows were raised. Many doubted the viability of the alliance, keeping in mind the acrimony the two had for each other that even percolated down to a personal level.
Now thanks to Shahabuddin, a war of words, putting the alliance at stake seems a possibility. Despite Kumar's image of a no-nonsense man having controlled crime and ushered in a new era of development in Bihar in his earlier term, the current reign has been mired in one controversy after another. Be it the education scam, hooch tragedy or series of murders and an overall complete breakdown in law and order, Kumar is finding going tough. His overdrive on prohibition has only opened new doors for smuggling of liquors from neighbouring states.
The prohibition bill did meet with sharp resistances. Though Prasad's party supported the bill on the floor of the assembly, a report in The Telegraph says that the former Union Railways Minister (Prasad) termed the bill 'draconian.' If this is one part, the ambitious leader Prasad is, it's quite unlikely that he would recede to the background and let his 'friend' Kumar hog the limelight. Prasad may be banned from contesting by the Courts, but deep down, he still nurtures ambitions to rule the state.
This is exactly where Shahabuddin gets a big role to play. Though, Prasad hasn't reacted to Shahabuddin's salvo at the Bihar CM, but knowing him and his prowess over the art of political manipulations, he knows he has a lieutenant who can muddle Kumar's run towards political and administrative glory. Politically, the next few days will bear testimony to where exactly the alliance is heading. It would be interesting to note how Prasad deals with Shahabuddin. Will he desert him or use him tactically to pull the rug from under Kumar's feet?
However, only a fool will conclude Prasad will be juvenile enough to attack the CM. He would do it at his own expense and Congress won't be party to it. It will only give a fillip to a beleaguered BJP to enjoy some fresh air. But at the same time, Prasad won't be letting go of this opportunity to breathe down the neck of his foe-turned-friend.
For Kumar, the acid test begins now. Instead of going overboard on prohibition, he should focus on curbing crime and corruption and thwart every attempt to challenge his government. It's going to be a tough ask, but being the seasoned politician, Kumar is, he should be ready for the challenge.
Bihar is back in the national limelight.
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