Lalu endorses Nitish as PM candidate in 2019. What's his play?
Even for an ally, Lalu Prasad's endorsement of Nitish Kumar as the prime ministerial candidate of an anti-BJP front in 2019 must rank as the biggest political surprise of recent times.
Over the past two days, the RJD chief and his son, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, have thrown their weight behind Nitish as the Narendra Modi's lead challenger in the next election.
To be sure, the Bihar chief minister has said nothing to the effect himself, but since many have made clever statements on the subject, Lalu, too, decided to chip in.
What's more, Lalu and his son's endorsement is the most thumping one, with the leaders of other parties taking a cautious stance, and some even belittling the stature of Nitish and his JD(U).
Speaking to reporters on 19 April, Lalu said he supported Nitish's call to all parties to unite against the BJP and the RSS. He said he would gladly support Nitish as the leader of such an alliance as he was a fellow Bihari and like his younger brother. Tejashwi repeated his father's line and backed Nitish's call for an RSS-free India.
The next day, Lalu said ever since Nitish was appointed JD(U) president, all parties had become nervous and were unable to digest his growing popularity. Nitish, he added, "has risen in stature" and was ready to go on the national platform, something that was making other parties scared. Tejashwi did one better, saying Nitish was "PM material". The chief minister was "honest and devoted to his duties", so why couldn't he become prime minister? he asked.
No other party has spoken so unequivocally on the prospect of Nitish's national leadership. The Congress has reminded the JD(U) of its "regional party status", Trinamool Congress has thrown West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's hat into the ring, and the BJD has advised Nitish to follow up on his anti-BJP front proposal by approaching all parties.
Just yesterday, RJD's spokesman Manoj Jha told Catch that it was Lalu who had first given the call for a broader front against RSS-BJP two years ago. He also said that Jayaprakash Narayan had stitched a national alliance against the Congress in 1974-76 without ever touching upon the question of leadership, indicating that the RJD was probably uncomfortable with the projection of Nitish as the lead challenger to Modi.
So, why has Lalu suddenly become so outspoken on this issue? There are three reasons.
The game plan
One, Lalu himself is a convicted politician and cannot contest elections till 2024. So, there is no question of personal competition with Nitish. The fact that he doesn't share the same rapport as Nitish with leaders of other parties across the country only adds to that.
Two, after successfully kick-starting the political careers of both his sons, he would want to see them grow in stature. With Nitish taking on a national challenge, the way could open up for the elevation of Tejashwi as the chief minister. In that case, his brother and Health Minister Tej Pratap, too, could get a more high-profile portfolio.
Third, Lalu is trying to revive the flagging political career of his daughter Misa Bharati. Reportedly, Lalu wants to send either Misa or his wife Rabri Devi to the Rajya Sabha when elections to five seats from Bihar take place about two months from now. For that, he would need JD(U)'s support.
The ruling coalition of the JD(U), RJD and the Congress has just enough numbers in the assembly to bag four of the five seats. While the Congress wants at least one seat, the JD(U) is eyeing a seat each for party elder Sharad Yadav and key troubleshooter KC Tyagi. If the proposed JD(U)-RLD merger takes place, one seat may have to be given to RLD chief Ajit Singh. In this scenario, Lalu would need Nitish's support to promote either his wife or daughter.
Still, the endorsement of Nitish doesn't mean much at this moment, however thumping it may be. The process to cobble up a national anti-BJP alliance for 2019 has barely begun, and it's likely to be tedious and long-drawn. And it is anybody's guess how the political equations would change in that time. In fact, Tejashwi himself seemed to muddy the waters a bit on 20 April by not ruling out Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi as Nitish's competitor for leading the proposed alliance.
Nation will decide who is better option between @NitishKumar and @rahulgandhi for PM's post said @yadavtejashwi in a pres conference
— Sheezan Nezami TOI (@SheezanN) April 20, 2016
What could really clear the air is a statement from the Congress on whether it's ready to have Rahul play second fiddle to Nitish.
Edited by Mehraj D. Lone
First published: 20 April 2016, 11:25 IST
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