DNA Edit: Moment of truth

With the Supreme Court reviving the quashed trials in the multi-crore fodder scam, it is natural for the spotlight to shift to RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav’s chequered political career and the land deal controversies embroiling his sons.

However, this will only hijack the narrative away from the dismal state of governance in Bihar under the Mahaghatbandhan, which was primarily forged to ward off the redoubtable appeal of BJP under Prime Minister Modi. In 2013, Nitish Kumar pulled the plug on a 17-years-old partnership with BJP in protest against the more or less settled decision that the then Gujarat CM Modi would be the prime ministerial candidate. His political ambitions frustrated, Nitish found little sense in continuing with the alliance and severed his ties with the BJP.

This, in retrospect, was a politically suicidal move given the results of the 2014 general elections. The year saw a Modi wave sweeping across India while Nitish’s JD(U) had to console itself with just 2 seats. Now, with smudging revelations on Yadav tumbling out every day, one would think that Nitish would want nothing more than to retract from his alliance. That does not seem to be the case. Already, JD(U) leader KC Tyagi has come out in support of the beleaguered RJD chief, giving no indication that a possible fallout of the alliance is in the works. So be it then. If Nitish remains complacent even when grave questions on the conduct of his partners are being raised by no less than the Supreme Court, he does so at the cost of losing the public endorsement that gave him the CM’s seat.

Nitish’s prime ministerial ambitions have long been frustrated. By sticking with Yadav, he is only eroding the credibility he enjoys with the people. Bismarck once commented that politics is the art of the possible, and there is none more qualified to personify this saying than Yadav, a politician whose career has long been pockmarked by many a scams and accusations and one who still seems to be an inextricable player in the Bihar power structure.

However, this might soon come to an end. Given the gravity of the Supreme Court order and the harsh tone with which it has rebuked Justice Rakesh Rajan Prasad for “illegally” dismissing charges against Yadav, indicates that the apex court is in no mood to suffer the inconsistency of the High Court or the “intolerable lethargy” of the CBI. The clock is ticking for Nitish. He should align with the BJP, and he should do it soon.