The Shadow Play of '97: When Allegations of Political Intervention Shielded a Powerful Figure

Ah, the annals of Indian politics—always full of twists and turns, aren’t they? And just when you think you know a story, a new detail emerges, pulling back the curtain on what might have really transpired behind those closed doors. That’s precisely what seems to be happening with a recent, rather explosive claim from M Nageswara Rao, a former interim director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). He’s stirred the pot, quite considerably, by alleging a major political party, the Congress, directly intervened to prevent a high-profile arrest way back in 1997.

Specifically, Rao took to X (formerly Twitter, you see) to lay bare his assertion: that the Congress party, then a crucial external supporter of the H.D. Deve Gowda-led United Front government, effectively strong-armed the Prime Minister. Their goal? To halt the imminent arrest of none other than Lalu Prasad Yadav, who was, at that time, deeply embroiled in the infamous Fodder Scam. It’s a claim that, honestly, makes you reconsider the delicate balance of power and influence at play during that tumultuous period.

Imagine the scene: The CBI, under the stern guidance of its then-director, Joginder Singh, was reportedly on the verge of taking Lalu Prasad Yadav into custody. The Fodder Scam, a sprawling tale of embezzlement and corruption, had gripped the nation. And then, according to Rao, the political wheels began to turn. He pointed fingers directly at the Congress party’s top brass of the time, naming Sitaram Kesri, who was the party’s president, and Sharad Pawar, a prominent leader. These figures, Rao claims, exerted considerable pressure on Deve Gowda.

And why the intense pressure? Well, for the Congress, it was, arguably, a matter of political survival for the United Front government itself. If they pulled their support—a very real threat, one could argue—the government would collapse. It was a classic political tightrope walk, wasn’t it? The quid pro quo, if Rao's allegations hold true, was clear: prevent Yadav’s arrest, and the government lives to fight another day. It’s a stark reminder of how deeply interconnected justice and political stability can sometimes become in the public eye.

Now, to be clear, Lalu Prasad Yadav was eventually arrested. That much is historical fact, carried out by Joginder Singh’s CBI. But Rao's account isn’t about the eventual arrest itself, but rather the powerful, unseen forces that allegedly tried to delay or prevent it altogether. It’s about the momentary pause, the alleged interference that, perhaps, bought a powerful politician some precious time, and saved a government from an early demise. A fascinating, if unsettling, glimpse into the intricate dance of power in India’s past.