PATNA, May 1: Apprehending that the CBI may arrest him, Chief Minister Laloo Prasad Yadav is contemplating to move court for anticipatory bail. Since Laloo has already charged the CBI with conspiring against him, his supporters feel that there is a definite move to arrest him.

In the face of mounting pressure, Laloo has also extended an olive branch to Prime Minister I K Gujral and JD working president Sharad Yadav.

The dissidents, on the other hand, today claimed that they have secured the signatures of nearly four dozen party MLAs in support of their demand that Laloo should be thrown out if he refuses to quit gracefully. The dissidents are still far short of the strength in the JD Legislature Party and could name only two dozen MLAs who have come out against Laloo. ``We can't disclose our cards till the chargesheet is filed,'' said rural development minister Ramai Ram claiming that the remaining JD MLAs would desert Laloo's sinking ship.

On advice from some of his supporters like cooperative minister Inder Singh Namdhari, Laloo is now ready to vacate the CM's chair, provided it is occupied by one of his nominees, sources say. But he insists on keeping the JD presidentship with him, citing BJP chief LK Advani's precedent.

In a pre-emptive move, the dissidents have started a signature campaign among party legislators demanding that Laloo's successor be selected through secret ballot in the JDLP.

They claim to have obtained 46 signatures and hope the rest will follow after CBI files its chargesheets against Laloo and Union Minister Chandradeo Prasad Verma.

Laloo's supporters, however, are still goading their embattled leader not to give in. They would prefer the UF leadership is forced to dismiss Laloo, so that he can float his own political outfit and become a ``martyr.'' The warring JD factions are meanwhile settling down for a protracted war of nerves. The Laloo camp is buying time so that their leader can reorganise his supporters in the State before the hostilities start.

The anti-Laloo camp feels Laloo would be in a ``no win'' position once Gujral is forced to drop Union Minister CP Verma, who has so far refused to quit on his own.

The BJP-Samata combine is not worried over the delay. ``The longer the drama drags on, the better it is for us,'' says BJP leader Saryu Rai. ``It will only accentuate the contradictions and feuds within the Janata Dal,'' he thinks.

While the saffron beigade is preparing its cadre for pitched street battles starting on May 3 with it's Bihar Bandh call, there are incidations that the mainstream

Laloo seeks anticipatory bail

Left parties might join hands with banned ultra-Left outfits like the MCC, the CPI(ML) and the Party Unity.

The combined Left is also trying to evolve a common strategy with JD dissidents and some Samata leaders.

``The Samata Party's alliance with the BJP is not natural. Their leaders can join us because they had been virtually hounded out by Laloo,'' CPM general secretary Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi says.

The multi-pronged attack on Laloo might make him agree on an amicable resolution of the crisis, some JD leaders including those hobonobbing with Laloo's coterie feel.

The Laloo camp has informally floated names of Union Minister Kanti Singh, Bihar cooperative minister Abdul Bari Siddiqui and octogenarian JD leader Dev Narayan Yadav. Some of them have even suggested that Laloo's wife Rabari Devi could step into his shoes.

The dissidents on the other hand have made it clear that they would resist imposition of Laloo's choice. ``He cannot be allowed to rule through remote control,'' a supporter of Ramai Ram said.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.