SC ruling on fodder scam: A weakened Lalu suits Nitish

The Supreme Court's directive on Monday that RJD chief Lalu Prasad will be tried for conspiracy in fodder scam cases may not have surprised Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, but the ruling will definitely provide much-needed succour to the JD (U) strongman.

True to his characteristic, Lalu Prasad, though barred by the court from contesting any election following his conviction in fodder scam in October 2013, had, of late, started to not only dominate Bihar politics, but also made news for his increasing interference in the government's functioning.

There was a reason for such dominating attitude. Ever since the Grand Alliance (GA) in Bihar rode to power in November 2015 handing a crushing and decisive defeat to the BJP, the RJD steadfastly maintained that it was actually Lalu’s vote base which helped Nitish romp home and settle scores with his bete noire Narendra Modi. To buttress their point, Lalu’s men would cite how the RJD was the single largest party in the Bihar Assembly.

Nitish, who is quite conscious about his assiduously-cultivated image of a vikas purush (development-oriented man), was, therefore, seen succumbing to pressure in his third innings as Bihar Chief Minister. Right from when he took over the reigns in November 2015, Nitish has been drawing flak for either making Lalu’s two sons as ministers (with the younger one being made Deputy CM) or not acting against ministers from RJD quota who caused him embarrassment due to their wrong-doings.

The last few days have seen BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi tearing Lalu to shreds for allegedly amassing huge wealth by making RJD leaders gift property to Lalu’s family. But Nitish never ordered any inquiry into any of the misdeeds, even though the same Nitish hit national headlines a few years back when he seized the house of a retired DGP for amassing wealth disproportionate to his known source of income.

The fodder scam ruling by the apex court will now keep Lalu tied down with fighting his legal battles for the next nine months thereby giving Nitish much-needed relief. Though Nitish has publicly maintained that there was no threat to his government which runs on the crutches of RJD, it’s equally true that the internecine war between the RJD and the JD (U) leaders has put a question mark on the longevity of GA.

For the time being, even RJD leaders will now be considerate enough to gradually realise that with the apex court not ready to show any leniency towards Lalu, it’s better to enjoy the fruits of power under Nitish’s leadership, albeit playing second fiddle to the JD (U), than shoot oneself in the foot.