Rediff On The NeT: Brothers-in-law land Laloo in trouble


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December 24, 1997

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Brothers-in-law land Laloo in trouble

Out on bail, Rashtriya Janata Dal chief and former Bihar chief minister Laloo Prasad Yadav has vowed to forge a secular front to give his 'enemies' in the United Front a run for their money.

As success comes in a trickle -- so far only the Congress and the Bahujan Samaj Party have agreed to tie up with his Rashtriya Janata Dal -- things seem to be hotting up on the homefront.

No, and his better half and Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi has not turned against him. But her two brothers are all set to land the former chief minister in dire straits. Again, neither is conspiring a palace coup against the 'mass leader'.

Locked in a wrangle, the two brothers-in-law -- Anirrudh Prasad alias Sadhu Yadav and the younger Subhash Yadav -- are contending for the same Lok Sabha seat.

Claiming the backing of the people of Gopalganj constituency, Sadhu Yadav has already sought the ticket. Sadhu Yadav says he enjoys the support of the five local MLAs -- Mohammed Nemetullah, Singheshwar Sahi, Devedutta Roy, Ramavatar and Inderdev Manji. What is more important, Sadhu Yadav is said to be a favourite of Rabri Devi.

This has prompted the younger Subash to fall back on Laloo Yadav, landing the former Bihar chief minister in a precarious position.

He is not only caught in the brothers-in-law crossfire, but would not also like to do anything that would upset Lal Babu Prasad Yadav who was the Gopalgunj MP in the just dissolved 11th Lok Sabha. The latter has steadfastly stood behind the RJD chief at the height of the Rs 9.5 fodder scam.

However, in case Laloo Yadav decides to please one of the brothers-in-law, it would be Subash, sources said. For the RJD chief is known to nurse serious reservations against the brash elder brother-in-law.

Known for his aggressive ways, Sadhu has always been haunted one controversy or the other. What is worse, he has launched a smear campaign against Lal Babu Prasad Yadav, much to the RJD chief's shock.

As Laloo Yadav struggles to settle the dilemma, Sadhu and Subhash have launched their campaigns from the constituency. If the response to their recent rallies is any indication, Subash seems to be ahead in the race. He not only outdid his elder brother in mobilising the masses, but also creating a favourable opinion in the local RJD unit.