Nitish launches caustic attack on RJD in Bihar Assembly

Speed Post News Network

Patna : JD(U) national president and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar on February 28, 2018, made a blistering attack on the RJD in Bihar legislative assembly blaming it for his exit from the Grand Alliance ( Mahagathbandhan) also comprising the Congress in the state. Nitish accused the RJD of  using power for amassing wealth.

Replying to a debate on the Motion of Thanks to the Governor’s address, Nitish said his continuance in the GRand Alliance comprising his JD(U), RJD and the Congress, would have put him in an embarrassing position in the event of conviction of RJD chief Lalu Prasad in fodder scam cases. ” We had formed the Grand Alliance for seva (service) not for mewa (wealth). I am accused of betraying the mandate. Was the mandate given for grabbing land through benami transactions?” he asked during his more than an hour-long speech.

Nitish’s speech was interrupted by RJD MLAs led by Leader of Opposition in Bihar Assembly Tejaswi Yadav during the first 45 minutes after which opposition MLAs barring an RJD member Maheshwar Yadav walked out of the House. Nitish said Good governance marked by development and justice has been my motto since 2005. I did not compromise on the ideals even during the 20 months when the Grand Alliance was in power in Bihar.

Nitish said he had asked them to explain but they refused. Was it me who owed an explanation? he asked referring to the RJD’s refusal to heed his suggestion that Tejaswi Yadav, the then deputy chief minister, offer a public explanation after his name cropped up in corruption cases. Tejaswi is younger son of RJD chief Lalu Prasad. The CM said now the judgment has come in some fodder scam cases. ” Had I been in the Grand Alliance I would have been expected to speak on the development as a coalition partner, may be even pay visits in the jail,” Nitish said in an obvious reference to Lalu.

Nitish said that his government has given the highest priority to the law and order. Expressing his dismay over the death of 9 school students in a road accident involving a BJP worker in Muzaffarpur last week, the CM claimed prohibition had led to a decline in the number of accidents.
The government is working on developing infrastructure, modifying laws and increasing awareness to further reduce such mishaps, the CM said. He accused the RJD of supporting prohibition when it was sharing power and backtracking now. Nitish’s reply to the motion was approved by a voice vote by the House.