RJD Chief Lalu Prasad Yadav in an attempt to demonstrate his opposition towards the BJP-led NDA government and take a toll on Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has decided to organise a mega rally in the state’s capital Patna on 27 Aug.
The ‘BJP Bhagao Desh Bachao‘ can also be regarded as another attempt to give a platform for the opposition unity against Narendra Modi led BJP. Lalu had long back announced about the rally when CBI raids were conducted his and his family members premises. He had alleged the Central government of controlling the CBI and deliberately targeting him by conducting these raids.
However, after the recent changes in Bihar’spolitical equation, the rally has gained even more importance. After Nitish Kumar breaking the grand alliance with RJD-Congress Lalu is even more agitated and is all the more adamant in holding this rally. Also recently as the Lok Sabha elections are nearing Congress has geared by well in advance preparing for the campaigning strategies and taking every possible step to defeat BJP and get back the rule at the Centre. Regarding this, Congress High Command Sonia Gandhi has been taking initiatives to unite all the opposition parties as one on a single platform and fight against BJP unanimously.
Lalu’s anti-BJP rally is also being considered as one of the stages to demonstrate opposition unity. Many opposition parties have already promised their presence. Rebel JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav, who has been warned by the party that if he attends the rally, his Rajya Sabha seat will be taken away, has also promised his presence during the rally. Sharad is also recently openly showing his disagreement with Kumar’s decision of breaking the mahagathbandhan and forming the new government in Bihar in alliance with BJP. Responding to the warnings issued by JD(U) of not to share the stage with corrupt opposition leaders, he replied that he is not scared of such threats and will definitely attend the rally and make sure that the grand alliance remains intact.
Since 18 districts of Bihar are fighting the floods, it was being regarded that the mega rally being organised by Lalu Prasad Yadav may be postponed. But RJD Chief has completely refrained from postponing this proposed rally against BJP and Nitish Kumar. At the same time, targeting the state’s ruling government he said that Bihar is drowning because of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. He further added that entire state is suffering the consequences of his decision of breaking the grand alliance and forming the new government in alliance with BJP and also of breaking the trust of the mandate.
When questioned upon the possibility of avoiding the rally due to the flood, Lalu Prasad Yadav cross questioned that will the floods in Bihar come to an end by avoiding the rally or the problems of those affected by floods will be ended? Again accusing the Nitish Kumar led government he held the state administration responsible for the problems faced by the people in flood hit areas and said that Bihar government has failed to provide any help to the 1.5 million people affected by the flood. He further added that Bihar government has completely become insensitive to the problems arising due to floods.
A minister of Kumar’s cabinet Nand Kishore Yadav, criticising the decision of not postponing the mega rally said that those people affected by the floods also include the people voting for RJD. At this time instead of sharing the sufferings of his supporters, Lalu is busy making his rally successful. Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi has also said that RJD leaders should avoid the rally and visit flood affected areas and should try to help people in every possible way.
Meanwhile, most the opposition parties are set to attend the mega rally, Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi has side lined himself very tactfully. Rahul flew to Norwegian capital Oslo, on Friday to meet the political and business leaders. Rahul tweeted that “On the invitation of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will be travelling to Oslo for a few days. Looking forward to meeting and exchanging ideas with political and business leaders and research institutions.”
Looking forward to meeting and exchanging ideas with political and business leaders & research institutions(2/2)
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 25, 2017
According to the sources Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad will be representing Congress Lalu’s “BJP Bhagao, Desh Bachao” rally.