Lalu changes track, to revamp RJD set-up

During his 15-years rule in Bihar, RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav preferred to run politics by his personal charisma than party organisation. Months after he was ousted from power, the RJD chief is trying to get his acts together and make an organisational structure for the party.

Lalu has sent messages to RJD leaders that they have to either perform or perish. Senior party leaders will tour assigned areas between December 25-30 to weed out non-performing local units and constitute new ones wherever required. Party general secretary Ram Kripal Yadav said that Lalu himself will tour the state once the organisational structure is in place. 8220;Our goal is to have some cadre structure on the model of Left parties,8221; he said.

Ever since the loss of power, the RJD had gone into a slumber, leading to speculation that Lalu wanted to return by default if and when CM Nitish Kumar8217;s initiatives fail. As the NDA government in Bihar celebrated its first anniversary, Lalu is rising to act as the main opposition. As a prelude, the RJD fielded its own candidates in the Bhagalpur and Nalanda by-elections to prove that it is the first choice of non-NDA voters.

Ram Kripal said his party will raise the question of law and order and the pro-rich policies of Nitish government such as slum clearance and land allotments to industries. He said both in the assembly and outside, RJD8217;s role as an opposition will be increasing from now onwards.