Jungle raj returns in Bihar says BJP
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday dismissed the BJP’s allegations of the “return of jungle raj in Bihar”, with former Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad citing two shooting incidents in Patna to drive home his point.
The BJP veteran also questioned Bihar Law Minister Kartikey Singh’s alleged role in a 2014 kidnapping case and accused the state police of shielding him with signs that, he said, were “emboldening criminals.”
Prasad mentioned the shooting of a Class XII girl and a jawan in two separate incidents in Patna, his parliamentary segment.
“These are not routine, unusual crime incidents. This reveals how emboldened and fearless criminals are feeling days after the JDU-RJD government assumed charge. If such is the situation in the state capital, one can imagine which way Bihar is headed. The state is returning to jungle raj,” Prasad said, adding the Patna High Court had in 2017 rejected RJD MLC Kartikey Singh’s anticipatory bail application in a kidnapping case, asking him to surrender before a lower court and seek regular bail.
Prasad also alleged that the state Agriculture Minister was embroiled in a rice scam.
Back in Patna, Nitish rejected BJP’s remarks on lawlessness in the state and said Bihar would “now be better governed than in the past”.
The CM, however, said the controversy around Kartikey Singh “was being looked into for suitable action”.
On Prasad’s allegations of jungle raj, Kumar said, “I will answer at an appropriate time. They are talking a lot…. At this moment, I just need to assure people that the pace of development under the new dispensation will be greater than ever before.”
Prasad also alleged that the state Agriculture Minister was embroiled in a rice scam.
Back in Patna, Nitish rejected BJP’s remarks on lawlessness in the state and said Bihar would “now be better governed than in the past”.
Controversy over arrest warrant
Bihar Law Minister Kartikey Singh has triggered a controversy for allegedly disregarding an arrest warrant to surrender in court on July 19 in a 2014 kidnapping case. The Patna High Court had on February 16, 2017, rejected Singh’s anticipatory bail, asking him to surrender before the lower court and seek regular bail. Singh’s lawyers say the cops had not found any evidence against him in the matter.
Situation deteriorating
Shootings are not routine, unusual crime incidents. These reveal how emboldened the criminals are feeling days after the JDU-RJD government assumed charge. If such is the situation, one can imagine which way Bihar is headed. — Ravi Shankar Prasad, ex-union minister.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar replied to BJP allegations.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on August 18 dismissed allegations of “return of jungle raj” by the BJP and asserted that the controversy surrounding newly inducted Minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MLC Kartikeya Singh was being “looked into” for suitable action.
The Janata Dal-United (JDU) leader also reprimanded party MLA Bima Bharti for raising questions over the re-induction of Leshi Singh, who has been a minister for many years, and said the rebellious legislator will be “properly briefed by the party”.
Mr. Kumar, who now heads a government that includes, besides his party and the RJD, the Congress and the Left extending support from outside, was talking to reporters at the IGIMS hospital in Patna, where he had gone to enquire about the well-being of Bijendra Prasad Yadav, the eldest member of his Cabinet, who was admitted the previous night after taking ill.
Mr. Kumar was asked by journalists about the allegations of “return of jungle raj” by BJP leaders, who have been bombarding social media with incidents of crime and criminal cases involving Ministers in the new Cabinet.
“I will answer them at an appropriate time. They are speaking a lot. At this moment, I just need to assure the people that the pace of development under the new dispensation will be greater than ever before”, said the Chief Minister.
Asked about a criminal case involving Kartikeya Singh, the State’s Law Minister, Nitish Kumar, said, “The matter is being looked into.” Whatever is needed will be done. ” The Chief Minister had on Wednesday said he had no information about the controversy surrounding Mr. Singh, known to be close to dreaded former Mokama MLA Anant Kumar Singh, who was disqualified last month after conviction in a case relating to the recovery of explosives, arms, and ammunition from his house.
Mr. Kumar, the JD(U)’s de facto leader, reacted with obvious displeasure when he was asked about the outbursts of Bima Bharti, a Former Minister herself, who was livid over the re-induction of Leshi Singh.
Both Ms. Singh and Ms. Bharti were elected from adjoining assembly segments of the Purnea district. Ms. Singh’s late husband and Bharti’s spouse are said to have been rivals with a reputation for using muscle power.
“There is no problem with Leshi Singh,” Mr. Kumar stated about the Minister for food and consumer protection, pointing out that she has been in the Cabinet for a long time.
The CM also disapproved of Bharti “who has herself been made a Minister in the past”, going public with her grievances.
“She will be tackled at the party level. If she sees reason, fine, else she shall be free to chart her own course,” Mr. Kumar said curtly.
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