The political landscape in Bihar witnessed a pivotal shift as the ruling Janata Dal-United (JD-U) called off its scheduled mega rally in Patna on January 24, aimed at commemorating the 100th birth anniversary of Bihar’s eminent socialist leader, Karpoori Thakur. This decision has spurred discussions and speculation regarding potential alterations in the top organizational echelons of the party in the near future.
The cancellation, announced by Umesh Kushwaha, head of JD-U’s Bihar unit, cited various factors including advice from leaders, the Chief Minister’s directives, and concerns over a possible cold wave. Initially projected to draw a massive gathering of approximately 300,000 attendees, logistical challenges arose during the recent Bhim Sansad event, prompting the shift of plans to organize the Karpoori Thakur Jayanti celebration at the district level.
This development follows another recent rescheduling within the JD-U, where the party deferred Nitish Kumar’s Varanasi rally initially slated for December 24. Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, a Bihar minister and prominent JD-U figure, refuted swirling rumors about the national president Rajiv Ranjan Singh ‘Lalan’ contemplating resignation or any purported discord between Nitish Kumar and the party president.
Chaudhary staunchly denied any internal fractures within the JD-U, asserting at the party office, “You speak of fissures in the JD(U). I say there is not even a scratch.”
Amidst the flurry of speculation, discussions within the party concerning a possible shift in leadership have surfaced, hinted at by a senior party member in relation to the cancellation of the January 24 rally.
The significance of the now-canceled rally cannot be understated, as it was intended to culminate the ‘Karpoori Charcha’ initiative, initiated from August 6 onwards, primarily aimed at engaging with the extremely backward classes. This program was part of a trio of campaigns—‘Bhaichara Yatra’ targeting Muslim outreach and ‘Bhim Samvad’ aimed at the Dalit voter base—that JD-U had undertaken to consolidate support from these key social segments.
The ‘Bhim Samvad’, launched on August 15, involved JD(U) leaders conducting door-to-door visits at the panchayat level to connect with Dalits, culminating in a rally in Patna on November 26. Similarly, the ‘Karwan-e-Ittehad aur Bhaichara Yatra,’ led by JD(U) MLC Khalid Anwar, commenced on August 1 from Narkatiaganj in West Champaran, urging Muslim participation in Hindu social functions to foster unity and brotherhood.
The cancellation of the January 24 rally has not only stirred curiosity but has also sparked discussions about the trajectory of JD-U’s future strategies and potential shifts in leadership dynamics, adding a new layer of anticipation to Bihar’s political narrative.
Sources By Agencies
