Bihar
‘Palturam’ vs ‘Ghasituram’: Ever since Nitish Kumar dumped RJD and allied with BJP again to form a new government, RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav has been calling him ‘palturam’ (someone who keeps taking U-turns). Lalu’s contempt forced the JD(U) to counter ‘palturam’ with ‘ghasituram’ (someone who is dragged unceremoniously). JD(U) spokesperson Neeraj Kumar said, “Ghasirutam should realise that his political life is set to be ruined by being dragged to courts and investigating agencies on corruption charges.”
Bihar’s Baahubali: It’s no secret that the 28-year-old younger son of party chief Lalu Prasad Yadav who was deputy CM 20 months, is his father’s chosen heir. Many RJD leaders have started praising him. A large hoarding in Patna showed Tejaswi dressed up as Baahubali. “Jiya ho Lalu ke laal” (May Lalu’s sons live long and prosper) was splattered on the hoarding installed by RJD leader Dharmendra Yadav.
Uttar Pradesh
BSP’s Saroj May Switch to SP: While many BSP leaders joined the BJP recently, the latest in defecting is likely to be Indrajeet Saroj—to the Samajwadi Party. A trusted Mayawati aide till recently, Saroj was allegedly sidelined by BSJ chief Mayawati for failing to arrange money. As his joining SP may help the party gain some ground among Dalits, he is likley to get an important role. Saroj hasn’t been mincing words in condemning Behenji’s “tyrannical” ways which, if not mended, may lead to many MLAs parting ways with the blue brigade.
Maharaj All for Baba Ram Rahim: While Haryana burns after Dera Sachcha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim’s conviction in a 2002 rape case, BJP MP from Unnao Sakshi Maharaj rubbed the salt into his party’s wound by empathising with the Dera chief. Maharaj called him a saint with a huge following and a simple man who was being harassed by court. “How can someone with such a following be wrong and be convicted on a complaint of one person who did not even disclose her identity,” he stated and tried to caution the courts against the spread of violence by Dera chief followers.