Conviction of Lalu to bring Cong, JD-U closer?

Conviction of RJD chief Lalu Prasad in the fodder scam case could bring Congress and Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal-U close ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, going by talk in Congress circles.
At the AICC briefing, party spokesman Sandeep Dikshit steered clear of questions whether JD-U, which is ruling Bihar, has become a 'natural ally' of Congress following the court verdict.
"Parties with which alliances could be effected will be decided by the committee headed by A K Antony. It will be decided by the high command after Antony Committee suggests alliances," was the refrain of Dikshit.
Speaking separately, Union Minister and Congress leader Beni Prasad Verma said that by opposing the ordinance to overturn the Supreme Court order to disqualify convicted lawmakers, Rahul Gandhi has taken initiative for crime free politics.

He indicated that an alliance with JD-U in Bihar was very much likely. He disagreed with party General Secretary Digvijay Singh's view that the RJD chief had become a victim of conspiracy.
Talking to reporters, Singh said in Mysore, "We are sorry that Lalu Prasad has been convicted. He has become victim of a conspiracy and I am convinced that he will prove his innocence by providing proof in a higher court. He has been an old and trustworthy ally of Congress. Our full sympathy is with him."
Dikshit, however, ruled out any politics behind the issue. "No politics takes place in this. This is court's judgement... Ask Digvijay ji if he has said something," he said apparently unaware of the party general secretary's remarks.

Party General Secretary Ajay Maken, who heads the AICC communication department, remained ambivalent on the issue of alliances. "It's too early to say what impact it will have on alliance in Bihar and Jharkhand. We cannot say anything on what will happen about alliance.