Brothers in saddle, Misa Bharti may get Rajya Sabha berth

PATNA: Guessing game has begun in state’s political circles on how RJD boss Lalu Prasad will promote eldest daughter Misa Bharti, especially after the elevation of younger son Tejaswi Prasad Yadav, as CM Nitish Kumar’s deputy.
Tejaswi’s elevation has also put Lalu’s younger son above his elder brother Tej Pratap Yadav both in the government and the party. The portfolios to them also make it evident that Tejaswi has been given more importance with high-budget departments like road construction, building construction, backward classes and extremely backward classes welfare department.Tej got health, minor irrigation and forests and environment portfolios.
By getting Tejaswi ranked two in the government, political analysts say, Lalu has boldly sought to settle the long-drawn succession issue in his family. Lalu had made a public declaration about his family members being his successor in June 2014 after party MP Pappu Yadav (who was later expelled from RJD) claimed he was the political successor to the RJD chief in the party.
Misa, who derives her name from dreaded Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) under which her father Lalu was jailed by the then Congress government during Emergency in 1970s, lost her maiden poll battle from Pataliputra Lok Sabha seat in 2014. She was trounced by Ram Kripal Yadav who rebelled against the RJD boss after denial of the party symbol and joined BJP.
Besides guiding two brothers in politics, Misa has also been helping the RJD boss in day-to-day political affairs. Party insiders say Misa played a crucial role in deciding some of the assembly poll candidates, especially from the seats which fall under Pataliputra parliamentary constituency. Grapevine has it Misa might be sent to the state legislative council or the Rajya Sabha later.