Syed Shahabuddin, diplomat-turned-politician and the most vocal Muslim leader during the Babri Masjid campaign, has joined the race for a Rajya Sabha berth from Bihar on a Janata Dal (United) quota — a key ally of the NDA.

Though there has been no official confirmation so far, reliable sources have it that the firebrand Muslim leader has put his hat in the ring, putting Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in a tough spot,

despite his all out effort to wean away the state’s strong Muslim votebank from rival RJD. Election for five seats in the state is scheduled for March 26.

The sources said Shahabuddin had met Kumar on two occasions — at New Delhi and Patna — and is said to have “pleaded” his case. Shahabuddin, it has been learnt, is using his “strong Bihar connection” to press his nomination. He had represented the Kishanganj Lok Sabha seat in the state twice — 1984-89 and 1991-96. Further, his Bihar cadre IAS son-in-law Afzal Amanullah holds the important position of Principal Home Secretary in the state.

Choosing a Muslim candidate on the basis of his “utility” and “ability” to garner votes of the community has become a tough task for Kumar. The sources said from Shahabuddin’s “stature”, his candidature was being backed by some influential quarters, making it difficult for Kumar to ignore.

On the basis of “political utility”, however, JD(U) leaders feel that Shahabuddin’s anointment will not benefit the party much in Bihar’s electoral arena. Kumar’s stress so far has been on targeting backwards among the Muslims who constitute the majority. Last time, he had surprised political pundits by nominating a journalist-turned-activist, Ali Anwar, championing the cause of backward caste Muslims. Anwar hailed from the Ansari community that forms the largest chunk among the backwards. This time, yet another such leader, Ejaj Ali, whose community ranks second in numerical terms after the Ansaris, is in the race. Ali had even campaigned for the JD(U) in the recently held Lok Sabha bypoll.

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