Gujral's letter may end JD crisis

A letter from Prime Minister I K Gujral to Bihar Chief Minister Laloo Prasad Yadav is likely to defuse the raging crisis in the beleaguered Janata Dal. Accordingly, Laloo Yadav may give up the JD president's post, retaining his chief ministership.

The letter was sent through Union Minister Raghuvansh Prasad Singh on Sunday evening, raising hopes that the Laloo Yadav-Sharad Yadav tussle would end, JD MPs said.

Strengthening this hope is the CBI's assurance to the Patna high court on Monday that it would not arrest Laloo Yadav till July 21. Besides, the CBI's contention that it is not in a position to argue in the case as the officers concerned are on leave indicates that a deal has been struck between the prime minister and the Bihar chief minister.

Apparently, Gujral has convinced the obstinate Laloo Yadav that the Supreme Court order -- which striped Singh of JD poll supervision duty -- has left the Bihar chief minister with very few options. With Singh's exit from the two-member panel, senior party leader Madhu Dandavate will now oversee the poll.

This, sources say, implies that Sharad Yadav will romp home even as Laloo Yadav and his supporters give their threats -- boycotting the JD presidential poll because of the alleged manipulation of the voters's lists and splitting the party -- a quiet burial.

Moreover, taking advantage of the fact that he would not be arrested till at least July 21, Laloo Yadav would sharpen his strategy against his detractors who have been demanding his resignation as chief minister. This appears to be an uphill task for Laloo Yadav as it is difficult to say whether the charges against him would be cleared.