LALU PLAYS THE CASTE CARD

RJD chief says joined forces with Nitish Kumar to counter BJP; denies reports of rift with Cong chief Sonia Gandhi

Stepping up his Bihar campaign, RJD boss Lalu Prasad, who made his political fortunes by riding the Mandal wave, says the caste census details must be made public >>

PATNA: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) president Lalu Prasad has made caste census an election issue in Bihar and asks why the BJP government was not releasing the data. In an interview to DK Singh, he says it’s a fight between “mandal and kamandal” and it will “go far”. Excerpts:

You have made a huge political issue out of the caste census data. Are you trying to recreate the ‘Mandal wave’ ahead of assembly elections?

The caste census was last conducted in 1931. Postindependence, all governments closed their eyes. Whichever government came — and I was also a part of it — made budgets in the interest of stronger people while the poor became poorer. As per the 1931 census, SCs were 16% of the population. Suppose their population has now increased to 35-40%, they have to be given proportional reservation in government jobs. The Constitution has provided this and no political party or court can stop it. Kamandaldharis (Hindutva proponents) are stopping it (caste census data release). This is a jung, a jehad by mandalwadis and Ambedkarwadis against kamandalwadis. I am not against any caste. I want everybody to get their rights.

You have gone with Nitish Kumar whose main slogan was to end ‘Lalu’s jungle raj’. How do you justify it?

Who filed petitions against me? The BJP. Who implicated me through the CBI? The BJP. Why do they find Nitish so bad now? What right do they have to say who has gone with whom? Get it clear, I have not gone with anybody. I have strengthened secular forces and my party has tied up with Nitish’s party to chase away the BJP and the RSS.

But it is believed that the workers (of the two parties) may not get along given that they fought with each other for years...

Communal forces are creating this. They are asking all sorts of questions. Everybody (RJD and JDU workers) is working together... Lalu Yadav has a character. He will never shake hands with communal forces.

How is it that you are nowhere to be seen in Nitish Kumar’s posters?

I don’t know why people don’t understand it. They are released by public relations department (of the government). Do you see the JD(U)’s name or symbol there? No.

You had a very good rapport with Congress president Sonia Gandhi but it’s believed that you didn’t attend her iftaar party because you are upset with the Congress...

I have a very good relationship with her and her family. Koi hamara narajagi nahin hai (I am not upset). Aisa parivar, aisa ehsanmand, aisi mahila rare milegi (such a family, so grateful, it’s rare to see such a lady).

There are reports that Manjhi (former Bihar CM) may be willing to come with you. Would you consider it?

I never had and don’t have anything against Manjhi. You go around Patna and you will see how much I have done for Musahar community. I have made pucca houses for them all over Bihar. In my regime, I went to the doors of Musahars and Halkhors (another Dalit community) and provided them with houses and education. I awakened these people and that was called Lalu’s jungle raj. You know Anand Kumar of Super 30? He belongs to Chandravanshi Kahar community. Anand came to meet me. He wanted to touch my feet.. Anand told me that if I were not there and if I had not awakened people, he would not have risen to that height.

If you win, will Nitish Kumar be the chief minister for five years?

Paanch saal rahenge ki kitne saal rahenge, sarkar rahegi tabhi to rahenge (whether for five years or for whatever years, he will be there only when the government is formed).

Kamandaldharis (Hindutva proponents) are stopping it (caste census data release). This is a jung, a jehad by mandalwadis and Ambedkarwadis against kamandalwadis. I am not against any caste. I want everybody to get their rights. Get it clear, I have not gone with anybody. I have strengthened secular forces and my party has tied up with Nitish’s party to chase away the BJP and the RSS.