In a clear sign that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will give a long rope to his Deputy Tejashwi Yadav, who has been named in CBI FIR in the hotel-for-land scandal, the much-hyped meeting of senior JD(U) leaders on Tuesday did not call for the resignation of RJD chief lalu Prasad younger son. At the same time, the meetings sent a loud message to the RJD chief that Nitish Kumar’s stand of zero tolerance on corruption was unchanged.
In the post-meeting news conference, the JD(U) spokespersons avoided even taking name of the Tejashwi Yadav. After the marathon meeting of the JD(U) under Nitish Kumar, the team of party spokesmen failed to say anything other than that the “person facing accusation is expected to produce all the factual evidence before the people and the media”.
They said that Nitish repeatedly told the partymen that his stand on crime and corruption charges was unchanged and he strongly pursued policy of zero tolerance on these issues.
While senior JD(U) leader Ramai Ram said that Tejashwi has been given four days time to explain his position, another spokesperson disowned Ram’s claim.
The JD(U) didn’t advise the Deputy CM to resign even though Nitish Kumar has taken the resignation of Jitan Ram Manjhi, Ramadhar Singh, RN Singh and some other Ministers when cases surfaced against them.
“let’s wait and see. Such things are not discussed in public,” said a senior JD(U) leader, adding, “if we start seeking resignation of Ministers on the basis of FIR, the BJP will ensure that all of them are booked in some case or other.”
The army of JD(U) spokesmen led by Neeraj Kumar quit the Press conference in a huff without taking any question. They even did not say what they mean by advising Tejashwi to explain his position in ‘janata ki adalat’ when no election is forthcoming.
The RJD has already made its position clear that Tejashwi would not resign. Tejashwi who did not attend office since Friday, when the CBI raided the residence where he lives with his parents, remained unfazed by the controversy sourrounding him. He was seen playing cricket and telling some tips to a kid at his residence. He tweeted several photographs, “Just play, have fun. Enjoy the game because sports don’t build character, they reveal it.” In another tweet he said, “Just now nephew asked to play & train….”
Tejashwi has big interest in cricket and was part of the Delhi Daredevil team in the first two seasons of the IPl.
RJD supremo lalu Prasad was away to Ranchi on Tuesday to appear before the CBI court in connection with fodder scam cases. Before the media he chuckled, “Bihar ki rajniti poori tarah chaka chak hai”. The RJD leaders continued coming to 10, Circular Road residence to show their solidarity. State RJD president Ramchandra Purbe said, “Tejashwi has established himself as a successful Minister and no charge was ever leveled against him. There is no question of his resignation.” Senior RJD leader Raghubandh Prasad Singh made a similar statement.