‘JD(U) is likely to split if Nitish allies with BJP’
storm is brewing in the Janata Dal (United). And the catalyst is Nitish Kumar’s dalliance with the BJP.
With Bihar’s “Mahagathbandhan” (Grand Alliance) facing an uncertain future amid speculations that Kumar was reconsidering a tie-up with the BJP, sources say that sections within the JD (U) have started to chart out an independent political course for themselves.
The party’s lone MP from Kerala, Veerendra Kumar, has not only ruled out the possibility of associating with a likely decision of the party leadership to align with the BJP, he also defied the party’s official line to vote in favour of the NDA ‘s presidential nominee Ram Nath Kovind.
Sections of JD (U) legislators – particularly those from the bordering Kosi belt – have been getting into a huddle to consider the political options. “There is little likelihood that all party legislators or workers will continue to support Kumar, in case he decides to mend ties with the saffron party. In such an eventuality, the JD (U) will split,” a senior party leader prophesied.
Senior party leaders such as Sharad Yadav are unlikely to go along with Kumar, in case of a possible decision by him to rejoin forces with the BJP, JD (U) sources hinted.
“JD(U) legislators such as Sarfaraz Alam, Mujahid Alam, Sharfuddin and Naushad Alam are unlikely to remain associated with the party, in case Kumar decides to switch horses midway in order to ensure the continuance of his government,” said a veteran Bihar watcher.
According to sources in the party, at least half of the 12 JD(U) MPs in Parliament do not favour a tie-up with the BJP.
“We expect that Kumar will display political sagacity by keeping the BJP at bay,” said Anisur Rehman of the Patnabased Imarat Shariah mosque.
“The Bihar verdict of 2015 was for the Mahagathbandhan and not for any individual (read Kumar). His party apparatus will get dismantled, if Kumar decides to switch sides to the BJP,” Husn Ahmed Quadri of Patna-based Jamait Ulema said.
The alliance has come under severe strain over the past few weeks following the CBI filing an FIR against Kumar’s deputy and RJD chief Lalu Prasad’s son Tejashwi Prasad Yadav in a land-for-hotels scam.
The JD(U), which at one point appeared to threaten RJD of even ‘sacking’ Tejashwi if he was not forthcoming with his explanation on the CBI’s charges against him, seems to have climbed down.
Tejashwi even met Kumar on Tuesday to ‘clarify’ the CBI’s charges. It was the first time the two had met alone since the CBI raided the properties belonging to the RJD chief and his family at 12 locations on July 7.
The BJP, which has been after Lalu and his family for alleged corruption, had even said it would offer outside support to the JD(U) if Kumar severs ties with the RJD which is the largest party in the Bihar assembly. to meet poverty-ridden people who couldn’t afford even the most basic of electronic comforts. Some of the children he chanced upon hadn’t even seen a toy. “I always wanted to become a scientist, but our education system only teaches us theoretical subjects,” says Ayush. “Whenever I sought practical lessons, I was thrown out of my class. I was criticised for asking questions. No one even tried to understand me.”
However, after the initial setbacks, the homebred inventor decided to pursue his dreams. He started off by making small toys and electronic items with discarded items, and they were both durable and cheap. At last, appreciation began trickling in.
Ayush’s parents still had academic aspirations for him. However, after a year of being coached at a reputed institute in Bhopal, he dropped out. The boy just couldn’t concentrate on theory.
That was when Ayush’s elder brother, who is pursuing an engineering course in Bhopal, stepped in. Sourabh motivated him to come up with innovative electrical and electronic products, and upload his ideas on You- Tube. “Ayush is a truly talented boy, and has always amazed me with his knowledge of electronics. His ‘career’ really took off once he launched Sdik Rof – his YouTube channel for kids – in September 2015.”
Ayush’s luck took a turn for the better as more and more people started visiting his page to check his products. YouTube began paying him too. Though his first cheque was for a mere ₹ 9,000 in April 2016, it boosted the teenager’s confidence to no end. Soon, the payments became bigger. The fattest cheque he has received till now is for ₹72,000 in October 2016.
Today, Ayush boasts of over 1.40 lakh subscribers, and his videos on making hair dryers and water heaters have scored as many as 25 lakh hits. He has developed around 72 different electrical products and posted 128 videos on his channel in the past two years.
“I use commonplace items to make things. As all my products run on solar light, poor people aren’t burdened by soaring electricity costs,” says Ayush.
In the light of his newfound glory, people don’t look at Ayush in the same way anymore. His parents, Harishankar and Chhaya, now regard him with pride.
Vijay Baghel, a resident of Prithvipur, says Ayush is the hero of his locality. “He does things that others can’t even imagine. Ayush is generous too. He gifted a scooter to the son of one of my relatives .”
While Sagar police constable Rajesh Rathod gushes over a hoverboard Ayush made for his child, Pappu Dubey – a barber from Bhopal – can’t have enough of a hair dryer created by the young inventor. “I have asked him to create a trimmer for me,” says Dubey.
And then there are the ones inspired by Ayush’s videos to dabble in some inventing themselves. “I am an ardent follower of his YouTube channel,” says Raj Dikshit. “At present, I am trying to make a bladeless fan.”
Ayush has also found an admirer in Satish Pal Singh Rajput, professor of mechanical engineering at the Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology in Bhopal. “Ayush is using the appropriate technology to make his products. Any student who has mastered basic science can do it, but most lack his vision,” he says.
A SECTION OF THE JD(U) LEGISLATORS, MAINLY THOSE FROM KOSI BELT, AND HALF OF THE 12 PARTY MPs DO NOT FAVOUR A TIEUP WITH THE FORMER ALLY