Gift from Obama,of Obama,to Nitish

Even though LJP president Ram Vilas Paswan never tires of reiterating his alliance with the RJD,he had only kind words for Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi who visited the state recently. Praising Rahul,he called him “brave” for daring the Shiv Sena/MNS in its den,Mumbai,and appreciated his riding a local train in the metropolis. However,Paswan added,not much should be read into his praise for Rahul,and said the LJP and RJD would fight together against the NDA and Congress alike. RJD leaders,however,were not amused with Paswan’s gesture,even if it was limited to Rahul’s stand on “no regionalism”. RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav has himself kept mum on the matter.

Anything for Nitish,BJP mantra in Bihar

Deputy Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi promptly supported Nitish Kumar after the CM was criticised by his close aide Rajiv Ranjan “Lalan” Singh,who recently resigned as state JD(U) president questioning Nitish’s autocratic handling of party matters. Modi surprised everyone by saying,“JD(U) means Nitish Kumar for us. Whosoever comes and goes hardly matters.” This invited an immediate response from Lalan,who said, “Modiji can also join the JD(U),there are enough vacancies.” Even though Modi later said his statement was misinterpreted,the message had gone across that the BJP would do anything to keep Nitish in good humour to remain in power in the state.

After violence,State to rein in coaching centres

Mushrooming coaching centres,which “sell dreams” of making students engineers and doctors,might well be in trouble soon with the state government mulling bringing in a new law to rein in private coaching centres. Students,who have been protesting against coaching centres fleecing them and seating over 1,000 students in one classroom,finally got a patient hearing from the state government. HRD Secretary Anjani Kumar Singh said besides the new coaching policy,a new law by June-July this year will warrant mandatory registration,fee limit,and course-completion deadlines for these institutes. Patna alone has over 100 coaching centres,where a teacher charges up to Rs 8,000.