Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s party Janata Dal (United) came out with conflicting statements on Thursday over the demand of Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav’s resignation for his alleged involvement in a land graft case.
Soon after the closed door meeting between Kumar and Tejashwi which signalled the ruling mahagathbandhan may survive, JD (U) leaders said that the charges of corruption against the RJD leader were not discussed and the party was still waiting for his explanation.
On the other hand JD (U) general secretary KC Tyagi, contrary to his party colleagues, said the alliance with RJD was unbreakable.
The charge is Tejashwi allegedly got a piece of high-value land in Patna in lieu of licences to run two IRCTC hotels to a private company when his father and RJD leader Lalu Prasad Yadav was Union railway minister. The CBI has filed an FIR against him in the case.
JD (U) spokesman Sanjay Singh said, “It has left stains on the face of our government. Who will erase it? Obviously, the onus is on the RJD to come clean. People who voted for us are owed an answer from them.”
JD (U) Ajay Alok and Rajeev Ranjan also lashed out the RJD for trying to ignore the issue and projecting that Tuesday’s meeting between Nitish and Tejashwi resolved it.
Meanwhile, Tejashwi, who is in New Delhi, said that there was no threat to mahagathbandhan. He was echoed by Tyagi, contrary to his party colleagues. He also hinted that Kumar never demanded Tejashwi’s resignation and had said that those facing corruption charges must go in people’s court with the truth.
Alliance partner Congress also sought to dispel any friction within the mahagathbandhan. Congress spokesman Dileep Chaudhary expressed confidence that all was now well within the alliance but accused that some JD (U) leaders of trying to blow the issue out of proportion.
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