“I have become a fan of this man. One should just meet him to know…” This is what Nitish Kumar had sai about his now bitter foe Narendra Modi after NDA’s 2004 defeat. “I feel like tying my PWD minister on an empty tractor trolley and run the vehicle at a speed of 60km per hourto make him realise how people suffer when they travel on these roads”, says Lalu, conceding the terrible conditionof Bihar roads. Ruled or Misruled, Story and Destiny of Bihar by The Indian Express’ Assistant Editor SANTOSH SINGH offers a 360 degree journey of Bihar politics since Independence, especially since the Congress’ downfall in 1990. An out and out reporter’s book, it tells an interesting and tumultuous journey of the post-1990 legends of Bihar politics - Nitish Kumar, Lalu Prasad, Ram Vilas Paswan and Jitan Ram Manjhi with the legendary clash between Nitish Kumar and Narendra Modi - with the untold version on the 2010 dinner cancellation and Nitish’s ambition, providing the third angle. Right from revealing JP’s dilemma between Lalu and Nitish to socialist leader Karpoori Thakur out-thinking the Congress with his simplicity. From Jagannath Mishra making a confession on his controversial 1982 Anti-Press Bill to the numerous tales of vernaculariszation of politics and giving a voice to the poor by Lalu, the writer also traces the story of the making of the Ranbir Sena at the height of caste wars. The stories of repair, hope and construction under Nitish Kumar, disillusionment and new political realignment after the 2013 NDA split, Nitish and Lalu coming together again after two decades and Nitish almost walking out of the Lalu alliance again are just as captivating. Jitan Ram Manjhi, who makes startling revelations on how he played a dummy for Nitish and Ram Vilas Paswan, also concedes the real truth of his Godhra stand.
