Laloo ready to step down – but not as party president

PATNA, April 30: Even as six senior Ministers and dissidents in the Bihar unit of the Janata Dal (JD) turned the heat on Chief Minister Lal...

PATNA, April 30: Even as six senior Ministers and dissidents in the Bihar unit of the Janata Dal (JD) turned the heat on Chief Minister Laloo Prasad Yadav by calling for his resignation, the latter indicated that he was ready for any eventuality and threatened to withdraw support to the United Front (UF) Government if the “witch-hunt” was not stopped.

Addressing a group of Legislators in a late-night development, he said, “It is not Bihar which is at the mercy of the Central leaders. It is the other way round. They want our support.”

Earlier, at a meeting attended by 200 party workers and leaders, Laloo said, “I have left for my mission alone. If anyone is willing to join me, he is welcome. I am not going to be cowed by any threats.”

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In a related development, Saddhu Yadav, Laloo’s brother-in-law, suggested that the Chief Minister form a regional party.

Significantly, at a meeting to elect the State president today — last day of the organisational elections a senior Minister suggested that the meeting authorise the Chief Minister to name the entire State unit office-bearers. This, party sources, say was a move to scuttle the chance of open revolt and help the Chief Minister to float his party, in case all help fails.

However, the dissidents shot off a letter signed by 15 Legislators and Ministers to the Central leaders to stop the process of election of the State president, since the process violated all democratic and electoral norms.

They also mentioned in the letter that there was a move to authorise the Chief Minister to nominate the office-bearers, which was against constitutional provisions.

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They alleged that this was done to circumvent any chance of dissidents contesting as office-bearers.

Laloo’s dwindling support became obvious today again when out of nearly 600 delegates, only 200 attended the meeting. Only 40 Legislators were present to extend their support.

Laloo accused a section of the party’s leadership of betraying him. “I warn those leaders who indulge in the politics of confusion. If they cannot support me in this crucial hour, they should find an alternative place for themselves.”

Significantly, Dalit and Scheduled Caste (SC) MLAs have been gearing up for an assault on the Chief Minister. They held a closed-door meeting, which sources say was attended by nearly 26 MLAs.