Fodder charges framed, Left divided over Laloo

That was after both Abani Roy of RSP and Debabrata Biswas of Forward Bloc said this morning that ‘‘cleanliness in politics’’ is what Left wants to achieve and that if charges had been framed against the Railway Minister, ‘‘he should give up.’’

Special court Judge Sanjay Prasad had ordered framing of charges against 39 of 40 accused, including Laloo and former Bihar CM Jagannath Mishra, in connection with the fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 3.3 crore from the State Treasury in Dumka in 1992.

Laloo was among the 39 accused present in the court when charges were slapped on them under various sections of the IPC—including those for fraud (420) and criminal conspiracy (120b)— and those of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

During his oral submission in the jampacked court, Laloo said: ‘‘All charges are wrong. The CBI has done a 420 on me.’’

Judge Prasad also issued a non-bailable warrant against one of the accused Ram Raj Ram, former Animal Husbandry Department chief, who failed to appear today.

This is the second case related to the scam in which charges have been framed against Laloo and the fourth in which trial proceedings have been initiated.

Some Left sections now fear that with one corruption charge after another being piled on him, Laloo might become a liability in the future.

However, the CPM does not hold such a simplistic view. Although they are aware that Laloo is one chink in the UPA armour, an influential section in the party believes that he would have to be retained to strengthen the coalition and for the sake of secularism.

Besides, the two Communist parties have a stake in Bihar—both had gone to the last Assembly polls in alliance with Laloo’s RJD.

Since then, the CPM has maintained its long-lasting relationship with Laloo though the CPI has been a trifle less enthusiastic.

In fact, aware that they should have consulted the CPM before commenting on Laloo, the two smaller partners toned down their statements by evening.

‘‘We have always fought against corruption,’’ said Biswas. Echoing that, RSP’s Roy said, ‘‘Not just a minister, even an MLA or an MP should give up office if he is under a cloud of suspicion.’’