Laloo puts BJP in a spot

By K. Balchand

PATNA, NOV. 24. The former Chief Minister and the RJD president, Mr. Laloo Prasad Yadav, today pushed the BJP on the defensive, ahead of his much-talked about journey tomorrow to Ranchi where he would surrender before the designated CBI Court on Monday as directed by the Supreme Court.

Mr. Yadav delivered the first blow by attending a function hosted by the dissident BJP MP, Mr. Madan Prasad Jaiswal, which was also attended by the cine-star and another BJP rebel MP, Mr. Shatrughan Sinha. Later, Mr. Yadav charged that the Sangh Parivar could create mischief during his journey.

Though the function to celebrate the 120th birth anniversary of leading historian, K.P. Jaiswal, was organised by the BJP MP, the leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Assembly, Mr. S.K. Modi, stayed away for obvious reasons.

He was at pains to explain his absence and the enthusiasm among senior BJP leaders to appear in public with Mr. Yadav that too on the eve of his surrender before a designated court.

The forum was used to attack the BJP and the Central Government. Mr. Yadav was concerned over the ill-treatment of those two MPs by their leadership. Mr. Sinha on his part reiterated that he had never compromised with his self-respect.

Countering the charges levelled against him by Mr. Modi and senior Jharkhand BJP leader, Mr. Saryu Roy, Mr. Yadav apprehended that the RSS, the Bajrang Dal and the Shiv Sena could create mischief in course of his journey in the cover of the call by the banned naxalite organisation, MCC, for a bandh in Bihar and Jharkhand on November 26.

The former Chief Minister said it was for the Jharkhand to take necessary steps to deal with the situation and maintain peace. He claimed that his supporters would maintain decorum and discipline with instructions having been issued not to target any institution, the CBI or State Government offices.

Mr. Yadav has sought to push the BJP on the backfoot to counter the effort by those who are planning to hold protest marches while his cavalcade makes its way through Jharkhand.

While the two sides are blowing hot and cold, the fact remains that the Jharkhand Government has declared as a State Guest at least eight Cabinet Ministers who are scheduled to accompany Mr. Yadav on his journey. These Ministers have made their trips official.

The Government there has toned up security measures not only for Mr. Yadav, but also in the light of the bandh call given by the MCC. Hundreds of arches have been put up all along the route right from Patna to Ranchi to welcome Mr. Yadav.

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