'I am disappointed'

The president of the Bihar Congress, an unapologetic Lalu–baiter, is hugely peeved that his party gratuitously gave away a constituency he had cultivated to Ram Vilas Paswan's LJP, the Congress' ally

In a state where Congress members are increasingly hesitant to attack Lalu Prasad Yadav, their ally at the Centre, Ram Jatan Sinha, president of the Bihar chapter of the Congress, is an exception. He begins his day by publicly mauling Lalu. With major plans to expand the Congress' mass base in the state, he plotted, drew up a list of constituencies where the party was strong, and selected candidates who could take on Lalu's might. Just when he was telling the TV cameras about the new dawn emerging in Bihar, he was given a rude jolt: not only was the party high command imposing its own list of candidates on the state unit, a constituency he had personally cultivated for his own political survival was taken away from him. In an interview, Sinha puts up a brave face.

Are you disappointed that you will not be contesting from Makhdumpur?

Although I am disappointed, I have given up the idea of contesting from Makhdumpur. As a loyal soldier of the party, I cannot go against the party high command.

Why aren't you contesting from Warsaliganj, which the party has offered to you?

It is part of the alliance. Since Warsliganj is held by the LJP (Lok Janshakti Party), the Congress has decided not to contest the elections from there.

You tried hard to stay with the Makhdumpur seat…

I even pleaded with the party high command to have a friendly contest there, but I had to back out. What I could not appreciate was Ram Vilas Paswan's insistence on contesting from Makhdumpur. They [the LJP] are, after all, our allies.

Given this, will you contest the Assembly elections at all?

I may fight from another constituency. There is still time.

What is going to be the Congress's main plank?

The revival of the party in the state and the lack of development are two areas that need to be highlighted. The tragedy is that people want to vote for the Congress, but they may not have the candidates to do so.

The Congress is being touted as a no-hoper.

If everyone gets their act together, the Congress can pull off a few surprises.