NDA allies in Bihar divided

By K. Balchand

PATNA, JUNE 24. The political divide in Bihar is so sharp that even the terrifying trend of mindless killings has failed to bring them across the table to curb growing animosities on caste lines in society.

The political parties are indulging in gimmicks following the massacres which seem to afflict the NDA more than the ruling coalition led by the RJD.

At the political level, the RJD held a meeting of its coalition partners first. At the government level it held discussions with a spectrum of political parties earlier this week. Admittedly, the ruling party's exercise could not be considered wholesome taking into account the RJD supremo, Mr. Laloo Prasad Yadav's, insistence on the need for a concerted effort by all political parties for restoration of harmony in society.

With the constituents of the NDA and CPI-ML staying away from the Government-sponsored all-party meeting, Mr. Yadav has sought the intervention of the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, to bring all the parties of Bihar for a discussion to save the lives of innocent people.

The ruling coalition has, however, grabbed the advantage by taking administrative and political steps ranging from setting up self- protection groups and peace committees.

What fruits these actions will bear time alone will tell. The importance of these moves is that the ruling coalition, which includes the Congress(I), the BSP and the CPI(M), did put up a show of unity besides at the all-party meeting held by the Chief Minister, Mrs. Rabri Devi.

That has put the onus on the NDA leaders to demonstrate their usefulness. The Union Agriculture Minister, Mr. Nitish Kumar, who was asked by the Prime Minister to convene an all-party meeting, has invited both Mrs. Rabri Devi and Mr. Yadav though none of the NDA leaders have responded to the invitation.

It is very unlikely that any of the ruling coalition would turn up for Mr. Kumar's meeting scheduled for Sunday which might end up as an extended meeting of the constituents of the NDA.

Not everything is well within the NDA and the constituents apparently have been unable to keep their differences under the carpet even on this issue of grave concern.The BJP leaders are seemingly upset with the Samata Party for holding a peace march in Patna ignoring the instruction of the Prime Minister to Mr. Kumar to hold a meeting.The immediate reaction was that the leader of Opposition, Mr. Shushil Kumar Modi, announced his own programme and undertook a 36-hour fast today.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Other States
Previous : Ten electrocuted in Bihar
Next     : Woman set on fire dies of burns