Out of power in Bihar, Lalu talks development

It was a dream press meet for the Patna media as well, being the first time in the Railways’ history that the customary post-railway budget press conference was held in a state capital instead of at New Delhi. And a dream party followed, on the lush lawns of the Railways office here—music, food, drinks, everything flowed to regale the press and the guests.

But development, Lalu assured his guests, was the bottomline, as he read out, once again, all the new development schemes he had proposed for Bihar in the budget. Lalu was also clearly in a mood to score a point over his Railway Ministry predecessor, and present Bihar Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar. If Nitish Kumar is projecting himself as Bihar’s saviour, Lalu definitely does not want to be left behind.

During the press conference, Lalu could barely restrain himself from making digs at Nitish Kumar. Asked whether rail tracks would be affected by his decision to increase the axle load of goods trains, he shot back: ‘‘Bihar’s so called technocrat chief minister has alleged this. He has no idea of what he’s talking about. We have had everything examined and the rails would not be affected.’’

Bihar and the Railways department have a long-standing relationship. It was the Railways that established Nitish Kumar’s “vikas purush” brand image, and in many ways paved the way for his ascension to the state’s top post. Lalu, who stands accused of plunging Bihar into the morass of criminality it presently is in, is now trying to use the same department to build a similar image for himself, although somewhat belatedly. Lalu confidant Shivanand Tiwary does not agree with the view. ‘‘He is not trying. He has already succeeded and has surpassed Nitish Kumar,’’ he said.