State BJP in-charge Trivendra Singh Rawat on Saturday jumped into shielding CM Raghubar Das in alleged horse-trading CD proof released by former Chief Minister and JVM leader Babulal Marandi on Friday. Giving the CM a clean chit, he said that there was nothing wrong in the CM meeting with anybody during times like election. However, he added that he will speak with CM about any possibility of the need of a detailed investigation in the matter, so that truth prevailed.
Talking to media persons in a Press Conference here on Saturday Rawat counter attacked Marandi saying that CM had also visited his home, and of JMM Chief Shibu Soren and Hemant Soren as well. Rawat, did not answer to a query about why would CM suggest any probe of an issue in which he himself was allegedly involved in wrongdoings if CD was believed to be true.
“There is nothing wrong or unusual in the CM meeting with opposition leaders on any occasion, or with any citizen of the State, for that matter. And then, Nirmala Devi was brought to Assembly with none other than Hemant Soren in his car, who had sent her husband Yogendra Sao to jail. Marandi must answer how this happened,” asked Rawat.
Rawat reiterated that he doubted the authenticity of the CD released by Marandi on Friday and a thorough investigation to prove its trustworthiness was inevitable.
Meanwhile, JMM organised ‘effigy burning’ of CM at a number of places in the state on Saturday evening. They burnt effigy of Raghubar Das on Albert Ekka Chowk in Ranchi and demanded his resignation in the light of horse trading proof CD.
The entire issue erupted with Marandi releasing video CDs on Friday allegedly confirming the horse trading charges on BJP in recent Rajya Sabha polls. Despite falling short of required numbers on paper for second candidate, BJP’s second candidate Mahesh Poddar won the election. Right after that, the BJP was on the target of united Opposition for horse trading practices.
Marandi releasing the CD said that Das met with MlA Nirmala Devi’s husband Yogendra Sao at latter’s home to lure him by hook or by crook to stop his wife voting against BJP. At the same time, ADGP Anurag Gupta and Political Adviser to CM Ajay Kumar made repeated calls to him, some of them luring, many others requesting and rest threatening, too, he alleged.
Rawat reflected on the success story of two years’ of Central government in leadership of PM Narendra Modi. He also described about what CM Raghubar Das has done for the sake of development of the state so far. “Naxalism is at its lowest level, environmental conservation works are at their best and the dova construction and water conservation in the State is at a level of never before,” counted Rawat. He also added that State, District and downward level of executive bodies’ formation would take place as soon as possible.