Rabri, interrupted

In recent weeks, no doubt accepting the inevitability of the chargesheet,the chief minister, her spouse, and her loyalists have passionatelypresented a series of arguments to counter calls for her resignation. Theserange from the political to the legal. One, the timing of the suddenlyflurry of activity in CBI circles has been deemed to be extremelysuspect.

Why, it is argued, did the CBI wait for Rabri Devi to reinstall herself foranother bout at Patna8217;s 1, Anne Marg chief ministerial residence beforefiling the chargesheet? This, when the raids on her official bungalow tookplace way back in 1998. A subtle distinction is also sought to be madebetween the current imbroglio and the developments in July 1997 whichinspired Laloo to quit before surrendering before the court: he was the mainaccused, whereas she is only a co-accused. So should an arrest warrant havebeen issued against her or should she have been merely summoned to thecourt? Whatever be the merits of these protestations, one cannot lose sightof another facet. Given the battery of charges against Laloo in themulti-crore fodder scam and the disproportionate assets case, can anadministration headed by his wife be seen to be fair and impartial incooperating with the investigating agencies? Surely not.

But if these latest developments threaten to throw the state into a