NEW DELHI, 22 April — Crisis in Bihar’s ruling Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) seems to be reaching a boiling point, with party chief Laloo Prasad Yadav and dissidents now openly attacking each other. Laloo has said appointing dissident leader Ranjan Yadav as working president of the party was a “mistake” in the first place.

The latter was removed from the post last week, in what was seen as a move to consolidate his authority over the party. Ranjan, however, hit back saying the way he was removed proved the arbitrary manner of the RJD chief’s functioning.

“I worked in the interest of the party but not for saving him,” he said, claiming that he had helped expand the party in 23 states. Before, leaving for Patna yesterday, Ranjan told Arab News that “Laloo Yadav has made a mockery of party’s constitution. He had no respect for the democratic norms.”

Dissidents, led by Ranjan, are waiting for Laloo’s likely journey to jail in an animal husbandry scam which is when they plan to oust Chief Minister Rabri Devi, who is also the wife of Laloo.

But the former Bihar chief minister seems set to upset their apple cart. Not only has he removed Ranjan, but also two of his trusted associates and party general secretaries — member of Parliament Nagmani and Suman Sahay, for their “anti-party activities.”

Laloo then reconstituted the party’s national and state executives by inducting party leaders loyal to him. Raghuvansh Prasad Singh (MP) was made vice president while Ram Dev Bhandari (MP) and others were nominated as general secretaries of the party’s national executive. Building Construction Minister Muhammad Taslimuddin was also appointed as the party’s principal general secretary.

But the dissidents also seem to be in an unrelenting mood. “Now Rabri Devi will be removed and Ranjan Yadav would be elected as chief minister of Bihar,” former Finance Minister Shankar Prasad Tekriwal said.

The RJD has 115 legislators in the state assembly and the rebels claim they have the support of 50 legislators. A state minister has, however, dismissed the claim saying, “Someone with the support of 50 legislators would not make a noise and instead go ahead and make his government.