Lalu to showcase Rlys' performance

Poll plank moves from egalitarianism to enhanced quality of life

Godhra and its aftermath are no longer campaign issues for Union railway minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, who is all set to showcase his success with turning Indian Railways around as a recomendation to come back to power in Bihar.

'Jisne kiya bharatiya rail ka aitihasik kaya kalp, wahi hai Bihar ka asli vikalp' (the one who effected a historic change in the railways will do the same for Bihar) is just one of the slogans coined by Lalu Prasad's campaign managers to effect an image change for the Bihar supremo.

'The fact is that since 1996, Laluji has been fighting for survival, embattled as he was because of various cases, it is for the first time as Railway minister that he could show off his adminsitartive acumen.

People should know what he can achieve if he is not distracted by cases,' said a source close to the RJD chief.

Slogans like 'Rail ne rakhli garibon ki laaj, khadi, kullad ko banaya sartaj' (Railways kept the honour of the poor by making mud kullads and khadi supreme), are there to hammer home the point of how Lalu Yadav affected a turnaround in the Railways while benefiting the poor.

"The overarching campaign slogan however, is about how same party rule at the Centre and the State can lead to true development," said the source.

"Jab Kendra, Rajya main hogi saman sarkar, kaise pichhda rahega Bihar" (when the Centre and State have the same party rule, only then can Bihar truly progress) is the slogan for this particular line.

"When this slogan is raised, we will also bring attention to the fact that under NDA rule there were at least 11-13 ministers from Bihar in the Union ministry at all times, and yet they did nothing for the betterment of the state," said the source. The change in campaign tactics according to Lalu Prasad's campaign managers is because of a sea change in Bihar's electrorate. 'Fifteen years ago, Lalu

Yadav fought for social justice, where egaliatarianism was the need, it is due to the success of this movement that the expectation of the poor has risen, vis a vis development,' said a source.

"After 15 years of riotless existense, Lalu Yadav's votebank no longer fears for its life, but looks to enhance the quality of it," added the source. It is to address this enhanced expectation that Lalu Prasad has changed the cornerstone of his campaign from social justice to development.