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What the strongman’s release means for Bihar and Lalu’s RJD
PATNA: The release of Mohammad Shahabuddin, former RJD MP from Siwan, on bail after 11 years of imprisonment may set the tone for new power equations in northwest
PATNA: The release of Mohammad Shahabuddin, former RJD MP from Siwan, on bail after 11 years of imprisonment may set the tone for new power equations in northwest Bihar, with the strongman now likely to become active in the RJD and regain his position as a mascot of minorities.
His bail period is not specified. The state government can challenge the bail, but that does not seem likely right away since Lalu Prasad’s RJD is a major partner in the coalition government.
Shahabuddin’s release nine months after the formation of the RJD-JD(U)-Congress coalition government has sparked euphoria among his supporters in Siwan.
The original ‘bahubali’ symbolising terror, especially in the mid- 90s and early 2000 when RJD was at the height of its powers, Shahabuddin was nominated vice-president by the RJD just five months ago. It clearly indicated his worth for the future of RJD which Prasad wants his sons to guide riding on Shahabuddin’s shoulders.
Shahabuddin’s bail came three months after he was shifted from Siwan jail to Bhagalpur central prison after one of his close aides, Laddan Mian, was arrested in connection with the murder of Hindustan scribe Rajdeo Ranjan. The former MP’s name was dragged in the case by the Opposition, which charged him with conspiring in the murder after a photograph Ranjan took of the former MP having a chat inside the jail with minority affairs minister Abdul Ghafoor went viral.
The episode of a minister calling on the former MP inside jail and the R JD top brass keeping quiet despite the opposition protests reinforced Shahabuddin’s importance.
His clout has not diminished, and his support among minorities, which dominate the Si wan-Chap ra and Gopalganj arc in north Bihar, makes him useful for Prasad.
Minorities in Siwan still regard Shahabuddin as a formidable figure who could stop the B JP in the area.
“Shahabudd in holds big clout in as many as 35-40 assembly seats in north-west Bihar districts where Muslim votes could tip the scales towards any combination. In 2005, the RJD lost as the Muslim votes were scattered because of various factors, including his arrest. It happened in 2010 as well ,” said former minister and relative of the former MP, Ejajul Haque.
Insiders say the RJD wishes to leverage Shahabuddin’s clout to salvage lost ground in northwest Bihar and Muslim dominated districts.
The JD(U), meanwhile, has always maintained an arm’s length from the strongman.
There are also speculations that the former MP could put pressure on the RJD chief to accommodate more Muslim ministers in the cabinet.
