How Lalu is a baggage for the Grand Alliance

The BJP felt victory was slipping out of its hands after its ideological mentor RSS’ chief Mohan Bhagwat advocated a review of the reservation policy on September 20. Bhagwat argued that the present reservation system has been used to meet political ends. It may be argued whether he was politically incorrect but it is certain that his remarks had put the BJP in a precarious position in Bihar which will go to polls from October 12 in five phases. The harried party leaders swung into action to control the damage it could have done. Quite unusually, they categorically refuted Bhagwat’s remark. While they were running helter and skelter reiterating that the BJP will not tinker with the reservation system, RJD supremo Lalu Prasad and Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, were hopping with glee tom-tomming their rival.

However, in a roller-coaster development, the “Mahagathbandhan” finds itself at the receiving end now. Though Nitish is the face of the Grand Alliance, the JD(U) and Congress have allowed Lalu to usurp it. They believe the former chief minister will fetch votes, banking on his Muslim-Yadav plank. But the Yadav strongman is himself under immense strain and these are the four reasons why:

1. ‘Hindus too eat beef’ remark

When it comes to playing the votebank politics, Lalu is considered its master, even though he may be accused of pandering to regressive sentiments. However, in one of his biggest blunders in his entire political career, the astute politician said “Hindus too eat beef” in the context of the Dadri lynching case.

Lalu’s remark clearly proves two points – that he took the 14 per cent Yadav votebank for granted and, second, that he was trying to appease the 16.99 per cent Muslims for blunting the influence of Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on the minorities. But he did not realise that he was falling in a trap which can mar the chances of the Grand Alliance at the hustings. He momentarily forgot that Yadavs consider themselves the descendants of Lord Krishna who spent his childhood tending cows and calves while playing in the fields with his friends. Also called “Gopal”, meaning one who cares for cows, his life highlights the importance of cows to human society.

The Yadavs reacted strongly to Lalu’s gaffe. Sensing the trouble, the RJD chief backtracked because his Yadav votebank is already under attack from the BJP which has unleashed an army of Yadav leaders to cut into RJD’s votes. Moreover, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been reminding the Bihari Yadavs of Gujarat's Krishna connection. Taking a dig at Lalu, the PM said in Muzaffarpur on July 25 that he had come from Dwarka, the land of Lord Krishna where the Yaduvanshis were known to kill the black serpents. The BJP evidently sees an opportunity to put Lalu to the wall on his beef remark. With the intent to polarise the election, former deputy chief minister Sushil Modi challenged him to claim that it was a contest between beef-eaters and the rest.

Lalu’s faux pas on beef ban has further weakened his position and hit him where it hurts the most. This is evident from his reactions. He admitted that he was possessed by devils when he made the “Hindus too eat beef” remark. However, trying to defend himself, he lost his cool. “Cow is our mother. I didn’t say Hindus eat cow meat. Those who are misquoting me and running this agenda are ‘haramzadas’,” he told the media.

2. Conflicting age of sons

Lalu finds himself in an embarrassing situation over the dates of birth of his two sons who are in the fray. Going by the nomination papers they have filed for elections from Mahua and Raghopur Assembly seats respectively in Vaishali district, while his elder son Tej Pratap Yadav is 25, younger son Tejaswi Yadav is 26. However, he has sought to clarify that the dates have been mentioned in the voters’ list. It is not clear how many have been convinced with his clarification.

3. Split in Yadav vote bank

It is believed that the Yadavs have consolidated themselves behind the RJD. However, there are also indications that at least two sections of the caste may opt for the NDA. These two sections are at the opposite ends of the caste spectrum in terms of class. The rural and extremely poor among them acknowledge Lalu for their social upliftment but they also grudge him for doing little for their rise in the economic ladder of the society during RJD’s 15 years of rule. They rue the pathetic condition of roads, electricity shortage and scarce irrigation facilities. They are not ready to give him another chance.

Similarly, the young (such as the first-time voters) and urban Yadavs too are not impressed with Lalu’s regressive politics. They wish to rise above narrow caste considerations and "Mandal Part 2" politics. They would like to be a part of the aspirational class instead. While Nitish may be the face of the Grand Alliance, this class is aware that Lalu is at its wheel and, hence, may also choose to opt for the NDA.

4. Alag-alag with Sonia and Rahul Gandhi

Lalu had not shared the dais with Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi when the latter held his debut election rally in Champaran on September 19. It is not yet clear whether it was the Congress leader who did not want to be seen alongside Lalu or vice versa. But one thing has become clear that the RJD president will not be holding a joint rally either with Sonia Gandhi or Rahul. "We will be campaigning alag, alag (separately)," said Lalu on October 5 when asked if he would campaign with Gandhi. This has exposed the infighting in the Grand Alliance and may harm it in the elections.

With Lalu on the defensive, his party workers and supporters are sure to feel demoralised. This, in turn, may affect the prospects of the Grand Alliance when it comes to the crunch.