Laloo comeback likely as numbers stack up against BJP Alliance

While the RJD-Congress combine claimed this was a defeat for the NDA, Nitish Kumar claimed that all along he was for a “consensus” candidate and hence, did not oppose Singh’s candidature.

However, sources said that forcing the issue wouldn’t have helped the NDA as a defeat would have sealed its fate at a time when it wasn’t sure of its numbers. However, NDA efforts were on through the night to work on the Congress and engineer a split.

In fact, a senior NDA leader told The Indian Express: “How can we, at this stage, reveal the identity of those who are supporting us? It will make them vulnerable and their respective parties more cautious.” NDA sources claimed that “at least eight (Congress) members” would vote in their favour.

But Laloo, too, isn’t taking any chances. Herded in the posh Hotel Patliputra Ashok, the 23 Congress MLAs are cooling their heels for the fateful day tomorrow. Even if some have to leave the hotel, they need to seek permission of senior leaders. And RJD MP Sahabuddin is on the hotel’s first floor keeping vigil.

Meanwhile, the Congress MLAs are a confused lot and are reluctant to speak to any one. However, after a CLP meeting today, all that one of the MLAs had to say was: “It’s a terrible ordeal, let’s see what happens tomorrow on the floor of the House.”

Laloo, quite upbeat over the Speaker’s election, is working overtime to ensure that there are no cracks in his ranks. He is said to be “personally” looking into the demands of the Congress MLAs and today visited the hotel while the CLP meeting was on.

Significantly, the Congress is yet to elect its CLP leader. Mohsina Kidwai, AICC geneal secretary, talking told reporters after the CLP meeting, said: “That will be done any day. There is no harm in delaying it.” Kidwai demanded the resignation of Nitish Kumar over the Speaker issue.

Later tonight, a meeting of the NDA’s core group decided to face the confidence vote. Called by Nitish Kumar, the meeting was attended by Union Ministers Ram Vilas Paswan and Sharad Yadav. Sources said that the mood at the meeting was one of “grim frustration.” However, Nitish continued to keep all guessing when he told reporters after the meeting: “I am confident of proving my majority tomorrow.