JDU-RJD rift widens, Sonia Gandhi brokers peace

New Delhi: Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Friday spoke to Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar and RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav over the phone to save the grand secular alliance, jolted by the recent corruption charges levelled by CBI against Mr Yadav’s family.

The RJD has sought an extension of the deadline set by the chief minister’s JD(U) for Lalu Yadav and his son and deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav to come clean on   allegations related to an illegal land deal.

The rift within the grand secular alliance widened on Friday after JD(U) demanded details of Lalu Yadav’s properties.

“He (Lalu Yadav) must declare his source of income and provide details about his property to prove his innocence,” JD(U) spokesperson Niraj Kumar told this newspaper.

Lalu Yadav clarified that Tejashwi Yadav will not resign from the deputy chief minister’s post.

“Tejashwi Yadav will not resign under any circumstances”, the RJD chief said and denied speaking to Mrs Gandhi on phone.

Congress leaders in Patna had earlier claimed that Mrs Gandhi had called Lalu Yadav and Nitish Kumar and urged them to find a middle path.

Sources said that Lalu Yadav may take a decision on the issue after presidential election on July 17.  

“Both Nitish Kumar and Lalu Yadav respect the grand alliance and there is no trouble in the alliance,” Congress state president Ashok Chaudhary told reporters after meeting Lalu Yadav at his residence in Patna. The JD(U) had earlier said that the party was not convinced with Tejashwi Yadav’s public statement and wanted him to give an explanation on corruption charges levelled against him.

It’s been four days since JD(U) gave an ultimatum to Tejashwi Yadav to come clean on the corruption charges and “so far he has just given political statements in his defence”, Niraj Kumar said.

The JD(U) also warned the alliance partner to avoid showing arrogance.

“The RJD, which is showing arrogance of 80 MLAs, should not forget that it was reduced to 22 MLAs in 2010 polls. In 2015 elections, its number swelled due to projection of Nitish Kumar as head of the coalition,” state JD(U) chief spokesman Sanjay Singh said.

Sources said the chief minister is likely to discuss the issue with Lalu Yadav. If things don’t get sorted out within the next 48 hours, he will be forced to take harsh decisions.

“He cannot compromise on the issue of corruption. Tejashwi Yadav must come up with valid explanations on the issue,” JD(U) leader Ajay Alok said. He, however, refused to speak on the issue of snapping ties with coalition partner. “We respect people’s mandate and also strictly follow alliance dharma but RJD must give clarification on CBI raids and FIR against their leaders,” he said.