The Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday asked Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to break his silence on the future of the grand alliance in the state, reported Hindustan Times. The BJP demanded that Kumar immediately drop Yadav’s sons Tejashwi Yadav and Tej Pratap Yadav from the Cabinet. This comes after the Central Bureau of Investigation raided the residences of Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family.
“This is an acid test for Nitish Kumar,” said senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi, while welcoming the CBI raids. “Whether he will drop Deputy CM [chief minister] Tejashwi Prasad Yadav and Health Minister Tej Pratap Yadav from his ministry or prefer not to take any action to save his chair, remains to be seen.”
“It is right time for Nitish Kumar to end his party’s alliance with the RJD and should sack Lalu’s two sons from his cabinet without delay,” state party president Nityanand Rai told IANS. He claimed that politics would “change” in Bihar after the CBI raids. Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly Prem Kumar said that the BJP’s stand has been vindicated. “Lalu and his sons are corrupt”.
Kumar has been silent on the crisis, and has instructed all JD(U) spokespersons to refrain from commenting on the matter. The rift between Kumar and Yadav had come to the fore when the former backed National Democratic Alliance candidate Ram Nath Kovind for the presidential election.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!