Stand-in CM finds her feet in Bihar

The reaction to Rabri’s remarks came today when the state Legislative Council plunged into an uproar with RJD and Opposition members arguing over a notice of breach of privilege against the CM. The House was then adjourned for about 30 minutes.

At the function, Rabri did not spare any of her party’s political rivals either. Speaking loudly and forcefully, she lambasted Laloo’s political rivals, including Railways Minister Nitish Kumar. Just days after showering praise on him for making Hajipur the new divisional headquarters, she charged: ‘‘Nitish sat in Raj Bhavan and ensured cases were filed against us.’’ However, she warned him, the RJD could survive anything.

Lok Janshakti Party chief Ram Vilas Paswan was also told they could take him on. Even in the Bihar Assembly, Rabri is increasingly being heard. Far from the demure woman who would sit in a corner and listen to what others had to say, Rabri stood up at least four times on Friday to speak, leaving the Opposition dumbfounded.

Last month, Rabri, for the first time in her four-year tenure, travelled to Delhi without husband in tow but with a large contingency of ministers for a meeting at the Planning Commission. Used to poking fun at her — she has been variously dubbed a mouthpiece, stand-in CM etc — RJD rivals don’t know what to make of the new-look CM. Nor do her party members. ‘‘Whether it’s sense or nonsense, it looks like she is finding her feet,’’ says an RJD member.