Law Kumar Mishra
Patna, April 29
Relation between the Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar and RJD President Lalu Prasad family is warming up as the children of Lalu met the former for the second time within a week and the Iftar politics facilitated it.
On Thursday evening, leader of opposition Tejashwi Prasad Yadav and his elder brother former Health Minister Tejpratap Yadav, two sons of Lalu, responded to the invitation of JDU by attending the Iftar party at Haj Bhawan here.
They occupied seats next to the JDU national president, Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lallan Singh and Nitish Kumar.
On April 22, Nitish had visited Lalu residence at 10, Circular Road here to attend the Iftar party hosted by Lalu family. JDU had invited Lalu Prasad too, His family said, “though Jharkhand High Court had ordered his release on bail on April 22, but the release order could not reach Birsa Munda jail for necessary follow up action “. Lalu is convicted in fodder scam .
Today’s iftar party hosted by JDU was joined by former Chief Minister Jeetan Ram Manjhi and Tarkishore Prasad, Deputy Chief Minister from BJP in Nitish cabinet. Chief Secretary Amir Subhani was also present.
Nitish Kumar told waiting media persons, do not attach politics in Iftar parties.” There is no link between politics and Iftar.” Tejashwi, when asked if RJD and JDU were coming closer, responded by saying, “Let the secret remain a secret”. However, his elder brother commented, “Khela Hobe”.
State RJD President Jagdananad Singh who had abstained from the Iftar hosted by Lalu family on April 22 did not attend today’s Iftar of JDU. He reacted on speculations about Nitish coming close to RJD by saying “Nitish should practice the policies of Ram Manohar Lohiya and Karpoori Thakur first. Let him sever ties with BJP and if we are convinced he has reformed himself, we will welcome him to RJD”.
The presence of Nitish Kumar at 10, Circular Road last week had triggered off speculations of return of 2013 ties between JDU and RJD. On April 23, while speaking at Jagdishpur in Bhojpur district. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, publicly expressed his displeasure over Nitish reportedly moving closer to RJD by recalling the Jungle Raj of Lalu-Rabri regime in BIhar.
Premchandra Patel, spokesman of BJP, today reacted officially by saying, “there should not be patronage to one religion only in the of pretext of Iftar parties. Did they organise parties during Durga Puja festivities”, he said referring to RJD and JDU.
