Lalu Yadav prioritizes Tejashwi’s future, with rhetoric but no major shake-ups.
New Delhi: The weaknesses in Congress’ top leadership suggest that there will be no political upheaval or “khela” in Bihar anytime soon. Sources indicate that state Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is unlikely to change sides this time, as he has no viable alternative but to remain in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
The buzz created by Rastriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Lalu Prasad Yadav’s recent statements will likely be neutralized by Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s upcoming two-day trip to Patna today.
Shah will attend party programs and gauge the political pulse ahead of the elections.
Speculations are rife that he might even meet CM Nitish. Meanwhile, Nitish has resumed his “Pragati Yatra” after pausing it due to the demise of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Lalu Yadav recently attempted to stir the political pot by inviting Nitish to rejoin the Mahagathbandhan, creating confusion in Bihar. The state is set to go to the polls in October this year, and Lalu appears worried that defeating the BJP-JD(U) alliance will be an uphill task.
Congress, their ally, is already struggling. After consecutive losses in Maharashtra and Haryana, Lalu seems to have realized that the BJP is willing to go to any lengths to win elections.
The Congress leadership, now comprising Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi, has shown little promise of introducing anything new. Their recent strategy, as evident from the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting in Belagavi, was essentially a rehash of the 2022 Udaipur Declaration.
Despite the grand rhetoric about change, the takeaway was clear: the Congress would continue under Rahul and Priyanka’s leadership without significant structural shifts. Those dissatisfied with this direction were free to leave. The CWC also announced a new constitution and “Jai Bhim” slogans to kickstart a journey, but the initiative lost momentum due to the siblings’ indifference.
Rahul left for a foreign trip at a time when the country was mourning the passing of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, and crucial decisions regarding Delhi elections and future strategies were pending. Following his lead, Priyanka took a vacation with her children in Shimla and did not stay in Delhi even for the late PM’s last rites. This lack of commitment has led to a sense of uncertainty within Congress.
While other political parties are busy formulating strategies and strengthening their organizations for upcoming elections, Congress appears dormant, causing unease among its allies. Nitish Kumar is aware that in the current scenario, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) could fabricate a political game in Maharashtra at any moment, as hinted by statements from leaders in Uddhav Thackeray’s and Sharad Pawar’s parties.
Therefore, Nitish is unlikely to take any risks by parting ways with the BJP. He also understands that the Congress-led I.N.D.I. A lliance is not going to project him as its leader. For now, the ongoing rhetoric seems to be merely a bargaining tactic for equal seat-sharing. The BJP might even concede to Nitish’s demands regarding seats this time.
As for the Mahagathbandhan, Lalu Yadav remains focused on his son Tejashwi Yadav’s political future. Aligning with Congress does not seem beneficial for the RJD. Thus, until the elections, we can expect rhetorical statements aimed at creating confusion, but no real political shake-ups.