PATNA: BJP’s Rajya Sabha MP and former deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi (SuMo) on Tuesday claimed that the verbal duel between RJD and Congress is "mere eyewash" for the ensuing bypolls in the state. He said both parties can’t leave each other.
Sushil Modi, who spearheaded a series of allegations against RJD chief Lalu Prasad and his family in 2016 related to multi- crore fodder scam and IRCTC hotels scams among others, which eventually led to fall of the Mahagathbandhan government of RJD- Congress- JD (U), said Lalu’s return in Bihar will reap no political dividends for the opposition.
"Lalu’s return in Bihar will not have much impact on the ensuing by- elections and other upcoming elections. Everybody saw that RJD didn’t use Lalu’s photographs in its posters in the assembly elections last year. His presence reminds people of lawlessness, anarchy and mismanagement. Thus, the NDA will not have to talk much about the 15 years of anarchy in Bihar under RJD regime, if Lalu will be present here. In fact, NDA will be politically benefitted with Lalu’s presence," Sushil Modi told TOI on Tuesday.
The former deputy CM also took a dig at Lalu on the issue of internal feud in RJD’s first family. "There is a power struggle between his two sons (Tejashwi Prasad Yadav and Tej Pratap Yadav.) It shows Lalu's impact. His son doesn't listen to him. A person who doesn't have control over his sons, why would public listen to him," he said.
On being asked about the verbal duel between RJD and Congress over the past few days, he said: "It is nothing but match- fixing for the ensuing by- elections. Congress is not there to win but it is there to cut the votes of NDA. It has fielded a Brahmin candidate from Tarapur assembly segment and a candidate from Ravidas community at Kusheshwar Sthan assembly segment. They just want to cut into votes of NDA candidates from same communities, thus help the candidate of RJD."
He added: "The ongoing exchange of words is just a gimmick; RJD and Congress will remain together in the Lok Sabha elections. Perhaps that is the reason that no central leader from Congress has reacted on the distasteful remark against their Bihar in- charge Bhakta Charan Das by Lalu. If Congress has any self- respect, then it should officially sever its ties with RJD after such humiliation of their state in- charge."
Incidentally, replying to queries by reporters at New Delhi on Sunday about Das’s allegation that RJD and Congress had reached a secret deal and Congress would contest on all 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar, Lalu had said: "Bhakta Charan is a 'Bhakchonhar’ (imprudent person)."
Congress’s MLC Prem Chand Mishra categorically said that the alliance with RJD is over. "Lalu ji is repeatedly attacking Congress and not saying a word against BJP. No secular politics in India can be done by doing bad- mouthing against Congress. It will only help BJP and RJD is doing the same. Thus, our alliance is no more. Congress is fighting the elections solo and it will do the same in Lok Sabha elections as well."
He added: "We have taken our decision. Now if the BJP has guts then can it sever its ties with Nitish Kumar, who had left no stones unturned in belittling PM Narendra Modi in 2015 assembly elections. Narendra Modi too had raised questions on the DNA of Nitish. Thus, it is the NDA which has to look into their alliance."
On being asked about a comment on SuMo’s claim that Lalu’s return will have no benefits for RJD in Bihar, party’s national vice- president Shivanand Tiwari said: "We don’t take cognizance of daily statements made by SuMo. Has he forgotten that his own party (BJP) sidelined him in 2015 assembly elections? He has never been able to stand up to the stature of Lalu ji or Nitish Kumar. Nevertheless, RJD workers and supporters are much elated over Lalu ji’s return."
