Lalu provides partymen food for thought

“Those who want to leave me are free to do so, but I am going to rebuild the party from the scratch,” a down, but not out, Lalu told his party activists, who came in droves at the venue – the sprawling bungalow of Leader of the Opposition Rabri Devi at 10, Circular Road in Patna.

Lalu’s bhoj comes close on the heels of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar throwing a similar party for the JD (U) workers at the CM’s official residence - 1, Aney Marg - earlier this week. While Nitish’s party was to express his gratitude towards his supporters for the landslide victory (NDA bagged 32 out of 40 Lok Sabha seats), the Bihar Congress too found a reason to organise a feast for its supporters. On Friday, the Congress party held a luncheon meeting as a part of Rahul Gandhi’s birthday celebrations.

But Lalu’s bhoj was different. Unlike Congressmen, who rubbed shoulders with each other to have their ‘pound of flesh’ (read 39 pound cake), the RJD men on Saturday presented themselves as relatively disciplined activists.

The menu was simple but delicious. Rice, dal, vegetable curry, papad and sweet meats. Right from block level workers to RJD MPs, every one was given due attention. “Keep your eyes and ears open. In the coming days, it will be Lalu vs others poll battle,” exhorted Lalu, dwelling at length how there had been a spurt in crime in the last few days of Nitish’s rule.