Author: Prabhash Joshi, Senior Journalist
Publication: Tehelka
Date: May 16, 2009
URL: http://www.tehelka.com/story_main41.asp?filename=Op160509a_quiet.asp
Introduction: Nitish Kumar brings welcome
sobriety and a focus on work to Bihari politics
Like Lalu Prasad Yadav, Nitish Kumar entered
public life through the Jayaprakash Narayan(JP) movement of the seventies
and the Mandal Commission. If Nitish appears more serious and hard working
than Lalu, it is because Lalu made unabashed rusticity and political theatre
two of the most potent symbols of Bihari politics. During the JP movement,
Lalu and Nitish were stark opposites. In a quest for publicity, Lalu revelled
in pomp and verbal fireworks, but Nitish strove to be a silent yet effective
worker.
The charismatic Lalu became more and more
famous and his larger-thanlife public persona grew to ridiculous levels. Nitish,
on the other hand, is known as more of a worker than a political animal. From
1974 onwards, he has always been thought of as more reliable than Lalu.
Readers may ask, why is it not possible to
describe Nitish Kumar without referring to Lalu Prasad Yadav? There is one
main reason for this. Lalu entered Bihar and Mandal politics much before Nitish.
The JP movement gave the middle castes a chance to express and assert themselves
throughout northern India. The leaders of these castes wanted to appear different
from the upper caste leaders of the country in every possible way. They wanted
to appear more grounded, more desi and wanted to be seen doing politics for
the poor and the downtrodden. In the Socialist movement, Ram Manohar Lohia
made 'akkhadpan' (cussedness) the identity of desi politics because he wanted
the English behaviour and suave manners of Nehru to look like hypocrisy. In
the Socialist movement of the seventies, however, Jayaprakash Narayan promoted
serenity, traditionalism and acceptability because of which his movement was
firmly grounded in principles, ideology and revolutionary thoughtfulness.
This brand of politics suited Nitish more than Lalu. However, post-Mandal
politics gave greater scope to Lohiaite elements and Lalu became the mascot
of this brand of politics. Again, when Lalu's trump cards started to look
like jokers, it was the mild mannered and reticent Nitish who started to emerge
as his polar opposite. Contrary to Lalu, Nitish Kumar's tendency has been
to give due respect to his fellow politicians and to work harmoniously with
them.
During Chandrashekhar's Janata Dal rule and
during the implementation of the Mandal Commission report when VP Singh was
in power, Lalu acted like an outright plunderer. But in both Janata and Mandal
politics, Nitish won a reputation of being a dedicated worker, working away
without any fanfare. In Delhi's political circles, Lalu created an illusion
of a powerful force but Nitish was on a stronger wicket. Politicians remained
in awe of Lalu, but hardly ever trusted him. Nitish, on the other hand, came
to be known as the one who remained trustworthy, even in Delhi's political
arena.
If Lalu's buffoonery had not prevailed in
Bihar for 15 years before becoming so disreputable, Nitish's modest mien and
attitude of steady hard work would never have attracted so much attention.
If Nitish's mundane lifestyle and day-in and day-out focus on his job are
the talk of Bihar, it is because Lalu spent all those years tickling people
with calculated tomfoolery and mesmerising them with sleights of hand, all
while serving his own interests. Nitish is trying to deliver, without showing
off. His purposefulness and personal honesty are having their effect.
