Under fire for failing to save the lives of 22 children, who died after having a mid-day meal in Saran, the Bihar Government suspects a political conspiracy. The State Government broke its silence 24 hours after the tragedy even as BJP, RJD and lok Janshakti Party forced a bandh in Chhapra on Wednesday and situation remained volatile in the lok Sabha constituency represented by RJD chief lalu Prasad.
Making a sensational allegation, State Education Minister PK Shahi said that the school principal’s husband was an active member of a political party and was also the supplier of food grains and grocery items to the school.
Shahi told the media in Patna that school principal Meena Kumari’s husband, Arjun Rai, is very close to a prominent political leader, and hence one cannot rule out the possibility of a political conspiracy behind the incident. He also asked RJD chief lalu Prasad to clarify his position on the alleged involvement of Arjun Rai in the shocking incident.
Shahi said that when the food was put in the hot pan, a foul smoke came out from the utensil, prompting the cook to register her objection with the Head Mistress on the quality of the oil, but Meena Kumari insisted on using the same oil, which was poisoned.
He said that the cook also fell sick after consuming food, but she is stable now. The Minister said that even a cousin of the Head Mistress is a trusted lieutenant of a leading politician. He said, “It may have been an attempt to destabilise the Government.”
Sahi refuted allegations about delay in responding to the situation. He said that Divisional Commissioner of Saran and Deputy Inspector General of Police (Saran range) are enquiring into the matter and they will submit their report to the Government soon.
RJD president lalu Prasad, who visited victims at PMCH, said that his party will also stage a “Mahadarhana” in Chapra on July 20 to protest against the incident.
When asked whether he will demand resignation of Nitish Kumar, lalu commented, “From whom we can ask the resignation when there is no Government worth the name in the State.”
Top State BJP leaders visited Chhapra and criticised Nitish Kumar for not even consoling family members of the victims. BJP general secretary Rajiv Pratap Rudy said that Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi had expressed his deep grief over the mid-day meal deaths.
JD(U) cries ‘conspiracy’ Patna Sahib MP Shatrughan Sinha demanded a judicial probe into the tragedy. “What was the (Saran) district administration doingIJ Why was the quality of the food served under mid-day meal scheme not checked before being served to childrenIJ,” he said.
BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain said: “The Chief Minister should visit the children. He should conduct an enquiry into the incident and fix accountability.”
Former Deputy Chief Minister Sushilkumar Modi said that several precious lives could have been saved had the Government rushed the ailing children to Patna for better treatment.
Meanwhile, eying a potential alliance with Janata Dal (U) in Bihar in future, the Congress adopted a cautious approach and avoided criticising the Nitish Government. The party instead accused the BJP of politicising the unfortunate incident.
Congress general secretary Shakeel Ahmad, in whose home district Madhubani the second incident of food poisoning happened, said that the State Government must fix responsibility and take stringent action against the guilty officials.