I am not Gabbar Singh, says Lalu

PATNA: Remember Bollywood blockbuster Sholay's famous Gabbar Singh dialogue, "yehan se pachas-pachas kos dur jab bachcha rota hai..."? The Gabbar phenomenon is back __ in Bihar politics this time __ with RJD supremo Lalu Prasad complaining against the NDA campaign to "terrorise voters with the possibility of my return to power as if I am a Gabbar Singh".
Addressing his partymen recently, the former chief minister alleged NDA leaders are trying to create a fear psychosis among upper caste voters."I have my supporters among Rajputs, Bhumihars, Kayasthas and Brahmins," he said.
True, NDA leaders have not missed any opportunity to caution people against the return of "dark old days when Lalu was at the helm in Bihar". The vandalism that marked the RJD-sponsored bandh, efforts of the Kisan Mahasabha leaders to revive the sharecropper issue and several other events instantly evoked a sharp reaction from the NDA leaders who said "jungle raj" would return if Lalu returns to power. "Upper caste voters have to be guided by the TINA (there is no alternative) factor," a top NDA leader said.
"It's a malicious propaganda. We have substantial support among upper caste voters, and three of our four MPs in the Lok Sabha hail from the upper caste. The propaganda is aimed at combating the loss of credibility of the Nitish government," RJD leader and former Patna MP Ram Kripal Yadav said and added every caste feels cheated by the Nitish government.
NDA leaders have an explanation to offer. "There's no deliberate attempt to paint Lalu as Gabbar. But if he has earned the image of Gabbar, there's little we can do," said BJP leader and deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi.
Modi insists the NDA is into a normal political practice of comparing its regime with that of the previous regime of 15 years helmed by Lalu. "We talk about the condition of roads, law and order and other achievements and we do not blame Lalu alone but also the Congress which propped his party's government," Modi said.
State JD(U) president Vijay Choudhary denies the party is looking for anti-Lalu negative votes.
"There may be some sections of voters who do not want Lalu back, but we are eyeing a positive mandate on the basis of our government's achievements," he said and added people voted for Nitish Kumar in the last assembly polls because they had no alternative but this time they have seen a good regime.
After his party's defeat in the assembly and Lok Sabha polls, Lalu has made efforts to gain acceptability among the upper caste voters by declaring that he would not allow re-entry of 'rowdy' elements to his party. In caste rallies, he swears he did nothing to damage the interests of upper castes. But the 'Gabbar effect' is making things difficult for him.