Monday, December 01, 2008

Reversed: Diversity in unity!

IIPM Publication
‘Pride’ goes regional. First it was Gujarati Pride, then Maharashtrian Pride and now finally, Bihari Pride. ‘Pride’, the synonym of ‘identity politics’ rains votes, a realisation to which Bihari politicians had recently woken up. Not long ago, it was a cardinal sin to discuss ‘unity’ with Bihari politicians. But the landscape has changed after Bihari students trying to take a railways test in Mumbai were battered by Raj Thakreys goons. Now they all stand together. What a sight: Rashtriya Janata Party supreme Lalu Prasad, Janata Dal (U) top gun Nitish Kumar and Lok Janshakti Party leader Ram Vilas Paswan addressing the same press conference and speaking the same language!

But the dream did not last. The bubble burst when Chief Minister decide to go one up and sent word to all his five Members of Parliament to resign on the issue of Biharis’ being harassed in Maharashtra. And they did. Their resignations were accepted by Lok Sabha speaker Somnath Chatterjee on November 11. An enraged Lalu Prasad has challenged that if JD (U ) is at all serious about Bihari pride, they should ask even their MLAs and Council members to resign!...Continue