Laloo envoy in Delhi to strike deal

He alleged that a high level political game was being played to derive political mileage. He said in order to solve the crisis he had sent state Water Resources Minister Jagadannand Singh to Delhi. Yadav said he would clear his stand through Jagadanand Singh before poll observers Raghuvansh Prasad Singh and Madhu Dandvate.

However, he said he had no detailed information regarding the organisational election.

Dissident leaders and Opposition parties are, on the other hand, maintaining a close watch on the actions of the Chief Minister. However, the dissident camp, which by its own admission does not exceed 40 MLAs and MLCs, despite its best efforts has not been able to increase its following. Their recent memorandum to Governor A R Kidwai, asking him not to comply with the Bihar chief minister’s orders, was signed by only 27 MLAs.

But the dissident leaders are quick to claim increased support. “Many members could not append their signatures because of some reason or another. Prominent dissident leaders like Hind Kesri Yadav, Vijender Choudhary and Suresh Paswan were out of station,” said former revenue minister Inder Singh Namdhari, who resigned from the Laloo ministry alleging disillusionment with his style of functioning.

“What is more worrying for Laloo is his dwindling strength within the JD Legislature Party,” Namdhari said and added, “a memorandum seeking the removal of CBI Joint Director (East) U N Biswas, submitted to Governor Kidwai on June 24, was signed by only 52 MLAs. Even if you assume that some of his supporters had been taken ill or had to go out of the city, the number cannot cross 80.”

With 167 JD members in the 324-strong Legislative Assembly, Laloo’s reported decreasing support may have spurred the chief minister to rush off his confidante Jagdanand Singh to the Capital for a face-saving formula.

Realising this, the dissidents are now demanding that if and when Laloo goes, the next Chief Minister should be elected by the JDLP. “He should not be thrust on us by Laloo,” said Ram Jiwan Singh, former agriculture minister who was sacked by Laloo for attending a meeting called by Sharad Yadav. “If Laloo is so sure of his strength, let him allow his successor to be elected by the legislature party. We will not allow him to nominate his successor,” added Singh.

The former minister was confident that their present strength of 30-35 MLAs would increase soon. “Most of the leaders are observing the ongoing tussle from the sidelines. If Laloo goes, they will come out in our support,” Singh claimed.

The dissidents alleged that many MLAs were too terror-stricken to express their support openly. “Their activities are being watched closely by Laloo-supporters including his brother-in-law Sadhu Yadav,” claimed Namdhari.

Meanwhile, Yadav remained closeted with his supporters at his official Anne Marg residence and refused to meet the Press even as rumours of his resignation floated in the dissident camp as well as the rest of the city today.