Stray voices of resentment in the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) have encouraged leaders of the Janata Dal Bihar unit to try and bring down the Rabri Devi government. They feel that with Laloo Prasad Yadav lodged in jail, the unifying factor among the RJD MLAs would be diluted to their advantage.
The RJD is showing some signs of nervousness. Chief Minister Rabri Devi yesterday called a meeting of the RJD legislature party, and got a resolution passed that the MLAs would remain united. Ram Kirpal Yadav, who has emerged as a vociferous supporter of the former chief minister in the Lok Sabha, is reported to have stayed back in Patna to oversee RJD matters in Laloo Yadavs absence.
There were some voices of resentment among RJD legislators early this week when Rabri Devi expanded her council of ministers. Senior MLA Ashok Kumar Singh refused to take oath as he was given the status of a minister of state. He said he could not agree to the status since it did not reflect experience and loyalty demonstrated in Laloo Yadavs hour of crisis.
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The worst criticism came from RJDs deputy chief whip Sahdeo Paswan. According to him, the Rabri Devi government is dominated by mafia and criminal elements. There is no place for persons of integrity. MLA Vijendra Chaudhary claimed his name was ommitted from the list at the last moment, while none of the three favourites of Sadhu Yadav, Rabri Devis powerful brother, found a place. They reportedly kept away from the swearing in ceremony.
At yesterdays meeting, the legislature party reposed faith in Laloo Yadav and pledged to support the bandh and subsequent fill-the-jail agitation called to protest against his false implication in the fodder scam.
The party has called a state-wide bandh to be followed by a seven-day fill-the-jail campaign from tomorrow to protest against the CBIs false implication of Yadav in the scam.
According to party spokesman Vijay Krishna, the meeting also resolved to keep the party united.
Sources in the Janata Dal here, however, admitted that securing the required number of RJD legislators to force a split would not be easy. More so because as many as 75 of the 136 RJD legislators had been made ministers, and others are expected to be made heads of various corporations.
At least 46 of them have to break away in order to effect a split in the RJD as per the requirements of the anti-defection law.
A senior Janata Dal leader said even if the required 46 RJD legislators were weaned away, they would be neutralised by the support from the Congress and others. When Rabri Devi government won the confidence vote last week, it secured support from the Congress (29), the Soren group of JMM (15), independents (13), the Mardi group of JMM (2) and the BSP (1).
The Janata Dal leader recalled Union home minister Indrajit Guptas statement that Laloo Yadav was a clever person, and had ensured that he did not commit any constitutional impropreity necessitating action from the Centre. He said the partys hopes of toppling the Rabri Devi government depended on the pressure the anti-Laloo Yadav ministers in the United Front government could bring upon Prime Minister I K Gujral to take tough action in Bihar.