Lalu saves JD (U) from defeat in RS by-polls

The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) today saved the Janata Dal (United) from a humiliating defeat in the Rajya Sabha by-election. The support of Lalu Prasad's legislators helped the ruling party to secure win for its candidates.

The JD (U) had fielded Ghulam Rasool Baliyawi and diplomat-turned- politician Pawan Kumar Varma for the RS polls on two seats.

Meanwhile its rebel legislators MLAs, supported by the BJP, had put up Sabir Ali and real estate baron Anil Sharma as their candidates against the official ones.

Therefore, the support of RJD MLAs became crucial, which finally enabled the JD (U) to sail through. Baliyawi got 123 votes, while Verma received 122 votes in this by-poll. On the other hand, Sharma and Ali were polled 108 and 107 votes respectively.

The JD (U) leadership thanked the RJD leadership and legislators after the results were announced on late Thursday evening.

Earlier on Saturday, Kumar has called the RJD chief Lalu Prasad and sought support in the RS by-polls. "This is a political circumstance as now we have to fight a common enemy. BJP wants to thrust an early election in Bihar. Therefore, we all have to work together to stop BJP's game plans," Kumar said on Saturday.

Sources in the RJD say that Prasad and most of party's legislators were opposed to supporting their bête-noire, the JD (U). However, after much persuasion by JD (U) leadership and many personal phone calls from Kumar, himself, RJD Chief relented and told the party leaders to support the JD (U).

"We are supporting JD (U) nominees for defending our secular values and defeating communal forces," Prasad said on Wednesday evening. Still, 2 of RJD legislators voted in favour of independent candidates.

Meanwhile, a total of 19 JD (U) MLAs voted against the party line, while 2 of 4 Congress legislators also defied party directive and voted for Sabir Ali and Anil Sharma in this election. Only, the BJP remained unharmed from cross voting in this by-poll.