As RJD anxiety mounts, Nitish starts smiling

In the first two phases of the Bihar elections, Nitish Kumar opted for understated campaigns, aware that raising the rhetoric has always hel...

In the first two phases of the Bihar elections, Nitish Kumar opted for understated campaigns, aware that raising the rhetoric has always helped Laloo Prasad Yadav consolidate his base.

But now in the run-up to Phase 3 on February 23, the JD(U)-BJP combine’s projected CM candidate, realising that the RJD is on a sticky wicket, has raised the pitch.

Nitish’s final campaign has acquired a new aggression. He spoke at 13 meetings yesterday across Nalanda and Patna districts, travelling by road and air. And today, he did 15 meetings in North Bihar. All have one theme: ‘‘We are very near to what we have been fighting for in the last 11 years.’’

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‘‘Come out and vote,’’ he tells the crowd. ‘‘Change is coming.’’

In the Kurmi heartland—they are considered good farmers and are keen on making educational progress—Nitish, their leader, pits himself against Laloo.

‘‘Lalooji wants people to pick up lathis. But this is information age, those with knowledge prosper. The time of lathi is gone, budhi (intelligence) is what is required.’’

‘‘Where are the teachers in schools? Why can’t we have good educational facilities in Bihar? All that I request is one, and only one term. If I don’t bring a change in your life, I will never come to you for votes again,’’ he says.

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Nitish has nurtured this region well with railway projects and other schemes. But he lost Barh Lok Sabha in 2004 and hasn’t forgotten that: ‘‘I have done many things here, you have seen it. You did not even give me the labour charge for it.’’

Anandi Prasad in Barh admits: ‘‘What he (Nitish) has done for this region, no one else has ever done.’’

To weaken Nitish in his stronghold, both the RJD and LJP have fielded Kurmi candidates in several constituencies. Ranjit Don of the CAT question paper leak infamy is LJP’s candidate from Hilsa while his brother is the RJD candidate from Asthawan.

Nitish warns his voters: ‘‘Both Lalooji and Ramvilasji are together in trying to corner me. But you will not allow it, will you?’’

‘‘No,’’ the crowd roars back.

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The fight for anti-RJD votes is not so intense between JD(U)-BJP and Congress-LJP in the third phase after the Congress, pressing the panic button at the thought of a BJP-controlled government in the state, declared that it was willing to enter into an arrangement with the RJD.

‘‘This statement has ended all confusion on Congress-RJD relations. Congress will have to support the RJD in government formation,’’ says Nitish. He has done his calculations: It has to be a straight fight with RJD and he must get the Congress and LJP out of the way. Only then can he hope to realise his dream.

The BJP has had to concede Nitish as the only potential chief minister candidate. Today, the JD(U)-BJP published newspaper advertisements of a contemplative Nitish. The caption read: ‘‘New Government, New Bihar.’’

Two months ago, even Nitish seemed dispirited: ‘‘If we lose this time, we will fight again, till we win.’’ But that was then. Now, after addressing 15 meetings in a day, Nitish is still smiling. And doesn’t want to retire for the night.