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How the RJD/Congress deal was struck: Rabri minister acted as link between Laloo-Arjun

Tara Shankar Sahay in New Delhi

Agitated Congressmen in Bihar have alleged that a minister in the Rabri Devi government, Basant Singh, acted as a conduit between Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Laloo Prasad Yadav and senior Congress leader Arjun Singh. Their secret understanding led to the Congress opposition to President's Rule in Bihar.

According to senior Bihar Congress leaders in Delhi, Basant Singh, a Thakur and an aristocrat like Arjun Singh, is closely associated with the latter. They pointed out that ever since Congress leader Sonia Gandhi stated that the Rabri Devi government had no moral right to continue in office after the massacre of 11 Dalits in Narayanpur village in Jehanabad district, Arjun Singh allegedly activated his "links" with Basant Singh.

They said it was through Basant Singh that Laloo Yadav sent a message to Arjun Singh that the Congress should oppose President's Rule in Bihar.

They contended that a day before the crucial Congress Working Committee meeting Laloo Yadav persuaded Arjun Singh to ensure that the apex Congress body opposed central rule in Bihar. Thereafter, Arjun Singh engineered the CWC decision to oppose President's Rule despite some stiff opposition, the Bihar Congress leaders alleged.

Significantly, despite Congress spokespersons claiming that there was unanimity in the party on the CWC decision on Bihar, at least two CWC members -- Pranab Mukherjee and Tariq Anwar -- have reiterated that as and when the Rabri Devi government is restored in office, she should own responsibility for the Narayanpur massacre and quit.

Contrary to the claims of the Congress central leadership, Bihar Congress leaders say educated Muslims in the state are distancing themselves from the party in the wake of its decision to oppose central rule. Barring a few Muslims in the RJD, they add, a majority of the community in Bihar had called Laloo Yadav's bluff "after suffering under the state government's lumpat raj."

Since the Rajya Sabha will be adjourned on March 18, they said the RJD-Samajwadi Party combine led by Laloo Yadav and Mulayam Singh Yadav will create mayhem in Parliament to ensure that Rabri Devi is restored in office after the perceived revocation of central rule in the state.

Government officials indicate that the ruling coalition will take all options into consideration before deciding about what is to be done in Bihar. They said it was likely that the ruling coalition's decision will come a few days before April 12 when two months lapse after proclamation of President's Rule in the state.

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