PATNA: Nitish Kumar may be the face of the Grand Alliance, but the recent ticket distribution indicates Lalu Prasad’s (RJD) grip over the unit. Nitish’s JD(U), which won 115 seats in the last Assembly polls and still has 97 MLAs, has given away 34 seats to RJD and one to the Congress.
Despite the rise of a rebel-force led by Jitan Ram Manjhi, loyal JD(U) MLAs stood by Nitish in times of crisis. But their loyalty didn’t matter much as JD(U) has handed over some of the safest seats to RJD to keep Lalu in good humour.
With caste politics playing a major role, the JD(U) leadership willingly agreed to concede these seats to the Lalu brigade. For instance, the party didn’t renominate Jehanabad MLA Abhiram Sharma as it was not sure whether he will be able to fetch votes from his own caste—the Bhumihars. The seat has been offered to RJD.
Unlike 2010, the JD(U) has to now bank on the votes of Yadavs, Muslims and Kurmis (YMK). “But the biggest question is whether Yadavs will vote for Nitish and his party. For at least a decade, they were considered to be the biggest enemy,” said former Rajya Sabha MP Shivanand Tiwary, adding that it’s too early to say if Lalu can turn the things in Nitish’s favour.
After a humiliating defeat in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, Nitish has realised that the so-called development theory doesn’t affect election results. They also understood the fact that without any cadre support or backing of any dominant caste groups, it’s not possible to tackle the super powers like BJP.
That’s how RJD became more important in this election. Nitish has also allotted the winning seat of Hilsa to Lalu’s party. Hilsa falls in the home district of Nitish.
Similarly, Satish Kumar, who defeated former CM Rabri Devi from Raghopur, was denied ticket to accommodate Lalu’s younger son Tejaswi. However, he hurriedly joined the BJP to contest from the seat.
Nitish also ‘gifted’ the Mahua constituency to Lalu’s younger son Tej Pratap. Mahua MLA Ravindra Rai had revolted against Nitish a few months back.
Lalu didn’t field his sons in RJD’s safe seats, but insisted the JD(U) to leave their ‘secured’ seats. Sources claim that Lalu has played a major role in the ticket distribution process of the JD(U) as well, and as a result, the alliance has fielded 63 Yadavs from various constituencies.
Sources also indicate that Lalu had the final word on the constituencies where Yadav and Muslim voters are in sizable numbers. While Yadavs got 63, Muslims were given 33 seats.
This number is indeed quite significant. The Bihar CM is actually pinning hopes on them to come back to power. So despite, being the largest party in the state, the JD(U) has allowed Lalu to take the front seat. Even party chief Sharad Yadav has been left high and dry as he reportedly failed to ensure tickets to at least four of his supporters.