RJD boss Lalu Prasad to alliance spokesmen: Do not exceed bosses’ brief

Speaking on the killing of two engineers in Darbhanga last Saturday, Lalu had “suggested” that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar ask officials, including DMs and SPs, to visit villages and restore confidence of the people. Alliance partner JD(U) apparently took offence to this.

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The following Thursday, RJD vice-president Raghuvansh Prasad Singh said Nitish had to take responsibility for any law and order lapses, as it was the CM who has been in the “driving seat and RJD is on the backfoot”.

The JD(U) hit back. Party spokesperson Sanjay Singh said, “Lalu should rein in his leaders like Raghuvansh Prasad Singh. There cannot be two sets of standards for Grand Alliance spokespersons.” The JD(U), though in alliance with the RJD, has been facing criticism from Raghuvansh Prasad Singh ever since the formation of the alliance.

Following the flurry of statements, Lalu said Friday: “Grand Alliance spokespersons should refrain from making statements just to increase TRPs. If they do not know what to do, they should stay at home. They should make statements only after consulting their bosses.”

RJD principal general secretary Mudrika Singh said: “The RJD is the elder brother in the alliance (with 80 seats). Laluji has every right to speak on law and order lapses as the RJD’s supreme leader.”

Sources said Lalu has been trying to assert his position as a “senior partner” even though the JD(U) holds the CM’s post. The RJD is also not too happy with the JD(U) trying to pitch Nitish as the national face of the Grand Alliance amid talks of replicating the Bihar experiment in West Bengal and Assam.