Former JD(U) president and socialist stalwart Sharad Yadav arrived here on Thursday on a three day tour to gauge the mood of the common people on the new political changes in Bihar amid the speculations that his days in the JD(U) were numbered.
Yadav was accorded a warm welcome by the RJD people amid the beating of drums at the airport and obviously at the behest of RJD boss lalu Prasad, he was accompanied by RJD leaders and workers to Sonepur including MlA Ramanuj Prasad, his first destination, where he began his campaign by launching attack on Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
Incidentally, his small podium at Sonepur caved in but Yadav continued his speech. lamenting the decision of Nitish to go back to NDA he said, "Two rival alliances fought the battle on separate manifestoes but joined hands midway. This is betrayal of the mandate and crisis for democracy. The sarkari faction of JD(U) has formed government with the BJP but I am still with the Mahagathbandhan and will make all efforts that this alliance remained strong. The real workers and leaders of the party are with me."
The only JD(U) leader present at the airport was former Minister Ramai Ram who too is feeling sidelined in the party after his defeat in last Assembly polls. Muzaffarpur district JD(U) president Hariom Kushwaha has written to Bihar JD(U) chief to suspend Ram from the party.
The JD(U) is furious over Yadav's Bihar visit and accused him of joining hands with lalu Prasad who is involved in corruption cases. Amid the sharpened attack on party's senior most leader by JD(U) spokesmen, sources said, the party was seriously contemplating to suspend him in view of his rebellion. Said Neeraj Kumar, "Sharad ji seems to be more comfortable in the company of lalu after surrendering before the empire of corruption. lalu and Tejashwi Yadav have become ideal for him." He further added that it was no longer the concern of JD(U) if Sharad remains in the party or go away.
Sources said Yadav might be shown the door by Saturday and the party leadership is also contemplating to get him unseated in Rajya Sabha. "What is the logic of a plebiscite after the party took a decision to break away from grand alliance and join ranks with NDA. That was the decision of the party and not any individual and decision was taken in the light of the circumstances," said another spokesman Rajiv Ranjan. He said the public gave mandate for governance and development of Bihar and not to protect the corruption of one family.
Senior BJP leader and Deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi also jumped in to criticise Sharad Yadav. He said he was shocked the see that the person who began his political career with the Jaya Prakash Narain led movement and who had resigned his lok Sabha seat when named in hawala scam was has now stooped to support the corruption of lalu and his family.
Modi asked Yadav to ask Tejashwi who is on Janadesh Apman Yatra who come a 26 years old young man became owner of 26 large properties. He should also ask former Deputy CM how come he got a Rs 200 crore worth land in Patna on which a mall was coming up at a cost of Rs 750 crore and owned a bungalow worth Rs 115 crore in New Friends Colony in Delhi, Modi said.