Is action on Lalu family a blessing in disguise for Nitish Kumar?

New Delhi: The investigation of Central agencies against Lalu Prasad’s family in Bihar has intensified as the noose of two agencies — the CBI and ED — is tightening around the family. In this case, along with Lalu Prasad and his wife Rabri Devi, his son and Deputy CM of Bihar Tejashwi Yadav is also on target. Apart from these, the names of four daughters of Lalu Prasad are also involved in one way or the other. CBI has interrogated Lalu and Rabri and Tejashwi Yadav has been summoned twice. On one pretext or the other, he has been avoiding being present. But soon he will be produced before the CBI and after that the ED will also interrogate him.

CBI had earlier conducted raids in the alleged scam of recruitment in Railways and now ED has raided Tejashwi and his sisters. This whole matter is progressing like the liquor scam of Delhi. It cannot be denied that both the agencies arrested some people in this case. Former MLA Bhola Yadav, who was earlier a personal aide of Lalu Prasad, has been arrested by the CBI in this case. It is not known how much political benefit BJP will get from such aggressive action of central agencies, but Nitish Kumar, who became Chief Minister with the help of RJD, has got a big relief.

After CBI inquiry and ED raids, demand to make Tejashwi the CM has come to a standstill as RJD leaders are on backfoot. They are not putting pressure on Nitish to make Tejashwi the CM. Although Tejashwi has already said that he is in no hurry and will become the CM when he has to, but first he has to defeat the BJP. But his party leaders were pressing that instead of waiting till the 2025 assembly polls, Tejashwi should be made the CM now. Nitish is also relieved because if RJD leaders pressurize him, he will get a strong excuse to walk out of the alliance.