Twist in the tale

As festive fever grips India, allusions in the poll battle in Bihar have shifted from beef and pulses to religion and mythology. Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad said Dussehra would spell the political death of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Describing Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the "political Ravana", he predicted Modi's brand of politics would meet an end in Bihar. In a repartee of sorts, Ram Kripal Yadav, once close to Prasad and now a BJP Union minister, said, "People would set on fire Ravana, enjoying the patronage of Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad." Not to be left out, Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) President Jitan Ram Manjhi said the fact that Prasad called him the Vibhishan of the Janata Dal (United), meant the latter was Ravana. "Now, Prime Minister Narendra Modi needs to fire an arrow to end Ravana," he told reporters, reacting to the RJD president's comment.