Congress could ally with RJD in run-up to 2014

Congress feels Laloo Yadav is a safer bet than Nitish Kumar, who had a 17-year alliance with BJP

The political scenario in Bihar seems to be heating up. Long time Congress ally Rashtriya Janta Dal (RJD) chief Laloo Prasad Yadav’s arrest had put the RJD on the backfoot, but now with Laloo Yadav out on bail, a Congress RJD alliance in the run up to 2014 is not ruled out, say Congress insiders. While the Janata Dal (United) and Nitish Kumar’s parting ways with the BJP was initially seen as a signal for growing proximity between the JD(U) and the Congress; of late things have turned frosty between the two parties. As a senior Congress leader explained, “In Bihar, Laloo Yadav still is the only secular leader till date, but the JD(U) had a 17 year alliance with the BJP. People are skeptical of that”

For the Congress in the run up to 2014, when the electoral battle is likely to be drawn on the secular and non-secular forces (led by BJP’s PrimeMinisterial candidate Narendra Modi), allying with Laloo Yadav is a safer bet than with Nitish Kumar. Muslims account for approximately 16 per cent of the state’s population.  

Congress President Sonia Gandhi’s phonecall to Lalooo Yadav after he emerged from jail, has emboldened the speculation of a tie up between the RJD and the Congress. Laloo Yadav addressing the media in Patna, spoke delightedly about the call and has for some time now been rooting for Rahul Gandhi as a fit Prime Ministerial candidate.  

Although, at one time it appeared that a JD(U) and Congress tie up could be on the cards, Nitish Kumar has been unhappy with the Centre’s not granting his demand for “special status” for the state. Then again relations between the two have become frosty as Nitish Kumar now views the scam tainted UPA as a liability.

Significantly, Bihar Congress chief Ashok Chowdhary today met Rahul Gandhi, a day after he held consultations with Congress President Sonia Gandhi and briefed both of them about the prevailing political scenario in the state after the break-up of BJP-JD(U) alliance.