With Abhishek drifting away from Mamata, can Nitish- Laloo remain in nuptial bonding for long?

 Will Abhishek Banerjee do to Mamata what Shinde did to Uddhav, and will Nitish end up being casualty of his own political calisthenics in Bihar, the rapidly unfolding situations in Bengal and Bihar appears to suggest the same?With Abhishek drifting away from Mamata, can Nitish- Laloo remain in nuptial bonding for long?

Vivekanand Jha Ranchi: Indeed the news accruing from South Kolkata is any indication, the Trinamool is on its way forward for its eventual disintegration: The propping up of the posters at many prominent places, especially the one being at Rashbihari is any indication, there are the irreconcilable differences brewing up between Pisi and Bhaipo to ultimately jeopardise the internal equation within Trinamool. Significantly, Mamata Banerjee’s promptitude in taking 180 degree u turn, in leaping up to defend Anubrata Mandal, the latest catch of ED, contrary to her previous stand, speaks a volume about the internal cacophony surrounding the Trinamool where the party appears to be on tenterhooks in the wake of the volatility of situations unfolding there pertaining to the growing uncertainty and confusion as to who would be the next target of ED and CBI. Worse still, the growing differences between Abhishek and Mamata too appears to be accentuating on the modus operandi to deal with this new Frankenstein: The setting upon ED and CBI on the Trinamool leaders.

Interestingly, while Abhishek is antithetical to party springing up in defence of the senior leaders under ED scanner, Mamata, cautious on much of dirty linen being washed in public; being apprehensive of skeletons so painstakingly nurtured, appears to be tumbling out of her cupboard, has decided to take a plunge in the defence of her tainted leaders. Unequivocally, the situation in West Bengal is not hunky dory, to say the least. Apt it is here to suggest that Mahua Moitra’s recalcitrance brought about by her irreconcilable attitude towards seeking a personal apology for her transgression in terms of belittling the goddess Kali. Small wonder then, Mahua’s stubbornness emanates from the strong backing from Abhishek. Willy nilly situation is topsy turvy in West Bengal where the unconscionable degree of volatility injected in the polity, appears to overwhelm the redoubtable Mamata. Hence against this backdrop, there is every likelihood of Eknath Shinde being propped up from the disgruntled bunch of disillusioned Trinamool leaders today. Or, Mamata, given the degree of dissent and dissidence within the party, may end up being the casualty of the predatory mindset of her own nephew. In other words, if Mamata is deposed, she will end up being the victim of propping up a dynasty in West Bengal which seldom existed in West Bengal, before she had anointed her nephew as her designated successor.

With Nitish going gung ho after his break up with BJP, embracing Laloo Yadav in the new found bonhomie, appears to have been relegated in this newly crafted power equation where Tejashwi will be in charge of government, with Nitish Kumar as the de jure chief minister. Regrettably, the ongoing scenario as witnessed in West Bengal is all set to be duplicated in Bihar when Tejashwi has to appear in the court on an ongoing case of corruption. Worse still, the induction of Kartik Singh as the law minister, who is the offender of law and was undergoing punishment, is the latest low of this government. Further, the lion’s share gobbled up by RJD, condescendingly relegating JDU to play second fiddle, has already sent a shockwave across the power corridor. Small wonder then, while Nitish Kumar might be gloating over in ditching BJP and floating a new alliance, his party, the majority of his colleagues purportedly appears to debunk this new found enthusiasm of Nitish Kumar. Unequivocally, sooner than later, Nitish will realise that how he had committed a political harakiri. Moreover, the number of disgruntled elements in JDU is spiralling up, with the chances of their open disagreement with Nitish Kumar becoming a harsh reality, these leaders can go to any extent to secure their future. And, the future of these leaders lies in an alliance with BJP, not with RJD. Be that as it may, the game that is played in West Bengal is all set to duplicate in Bihar and, that too, with a greater elan. The volatility of situations–both in Bengal and Bihar being of similar degree and magnitude–didi’s ‘ khela hobe’ might be subsumed by the ‘ boro khela hobe’ by her nephew Abhishek. Likewise, the game of one upmanship which Nitish had deftly sought to play with an eye on the prime ministerial position in 2024, will soon boomerang on him. Just wait and see, how the situations play in both the states which are close neighbours and have their reverberations across the length and breadth of India.

Vivekanand Jha, author, academician and Public Intellectual.