Bihar’s ruling JD(U) and the BJP are eyeing to rope in RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav’s two top confidants — Ram Kripal Yadav and Ghulam Gous — who have displayed ample signs of rebellion after being denied RJD tickets for the Lok Sabha polls.
Apart from these two leaders, at least three other RJD leaders are also actively thinking of quitting the party because their demand for parliamentary nominations were brushed off by Mr Yadav, who reportedly finalised the list of 25 candidates without consulting his senior party colleagues. With the BJP and the JD(U) yet to name their candidates, these RJD leaders are hopeful of getting tickets from the two parties, which looks unlikely except for the RJD chief’s two trusted aides.
Ram Kripal Yadav, a sitting Rajya Sabha member and RJD general secretary, has been the most recognisable face in the party after his leader’s and wields massive influence in the RJD because of his closeness and loyalty to the Lalu-Rabri family. When the RJD chief was convicted in a fodder scam case in September, Ram Kripal Yadav was seen weeping in the Ranchi courtroom. He was utterly disappointed because the RJD boss chose to field his daughter Misa Bharti in Pataliputra constituency despite Ramkripal Yadav’s stated desire to contest from there. On Friday, Ms Bharti reached Ram Kripal Yadav’s residence in Delhi to persuade him to stay in the party. She even offered to withdraw her candidature for Pataliputra for him. But she returned empty handed after failing to speak with him despite her five-hour wait at his residence. Sources said Ram Kripal Yadav was in touch with both BJP and JD(U) leaders, who reportedly offered him a ticket for Pataliputra.
Mr Gous, a well-known Muslim face in the RJD and the party’s leader in state Legislative Council, has spoken out against the candidate selection after his demand for the West Champaran (Bettiah) seat was ignored. While ex-minister Raghunath Jha was fielded from there, Mr Gous was given no ticket.
Former RJD MP Surendra Yadav resigned on Friday over denial of a ticket for Gaya and may join the BJP. Senior RJD leader Suresh Paswan may quit and join the JD(U), said sources.