The decision of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to charge Janata Dal president Laloo Prasad in the fodder scam has increased the tension between the Congress and sections of the United Front, on the one hand, and the Left parties, on the other.
The Congress yesterday played down the expected charge while the Left parties demanded that Laloo Prasad should resign forthwith. Prime Minister IK Gujral could find himself cornered in the unstated battle between them.
CBI director Joginder Singhs surprise decision sent shock waves through the political world. It became clear to the many senior front and Congress leaders involved in various potential scandals that the change of guard at the Centre does not mean they can breathe easy.
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Ironically, Singhs decision may help Gowda take Laloo Prasads place as Janata Dal president when party elections are held next month. Singh has been forced to act under pressure from the courts but he also owes his appointment to Gowda, who has spoken of rising from the ashes.
He seems determined to regain the prime ministers chair and could work to destabilise Gujral if he were to become his partys president. Most Dal MPs owe their loyalty to either Laloo Prasad or to Gowda, although Gowdas detractors insist that he now has the continued loyalty of no more than four Lok Sabha members.
The Lefts hardline response makes it virtually impossible for Gujral to lift a finger to try and bail Laloo Prasad out. Left support was crucial to his selection for the top job in the front. By not acting in his party chiefs defence, however, Gujral could create a phalanx of foes.
A number of other front partners had hoped that Gowdas departure would help to put the lid on various politically sensitive investigations.
Many Congress and front leaders had suspected Gowda of subtly pushing investigations against his political allies in order to keep them in check. Among those who have been embarrassed by various investigations are Congress chief Sitaram Kesri, Samajwadi Party president Mulayam Singh Yadav and TMC president GK Moopanar.
Panic among sections of the Congress leadership over what the Delhi Police would report to the Delhi High Court on progress in its investigation of the SK Tanwar murder case apparently contributed to the decision to withdraw the Congress support to the Gowda government on March 30.
Significantly, front leaders like Laloo Prasad, Mulayam Singh and some TMC leaders have been talking about calling an end to anti-Congressism and even of working in alliance with the Congress whenever general elections are next held. Kesris aides claim that Moopanar and the two Yadav leaders have been in close touch with Kesri and have reached a political understanding.
Their target, these Kesri backers say, was Gowda until now but Gujral could earn their ire as easily. According to one report, Laloo Prasad telephoned Gujral in a foul temper on Sunday night. The AICC spokesperson yesterday insisted that his party would not formulate a stand until a charge sheet was actually filed.