Patna: The Lok Sabha elections have seen Lalu Yadav's relations with the Congress go sour and there has been a huge transformation in the man once known as the darling of the media.
Analysts say the RJD- LJP combine will be routed in the elections.
But Lalu's main rival Nitish Kumar has now become India's most wanted politician with praise coming from the most unexpected quarters.
"Nitish has done good work," Rahul Gandhi had said.
And the usually nonchalant Lalu was on the backfoot. "Why don't you go and ask Rahul Gandhi and the Congress about what he has said? Why are you asking me?" he asked.
Even a month ago, Lalu was quite the showman at campaign rallies or even press conferences.
But things are very different now. Lalu Yadav has shut the doors of his house, to the media, and says he will only talk after the counting day - a sign that the veteran Bihari politician is a nervous man these days.
Lalu hopes to ride to power on the basis of his partnership with Ram Vilas Paswan and Mulayam Singh.
But till the time the gamble pays off, vintage Lalu may not make an appearance.