Ahead of the crucial meet of Janata Dal (United) legislators here today, RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav has claimed that CM Nitish Kumar never asked for the resignation of his deputy Tejashwi Yadav, who is at a centre of a controversy related to alleged illegal transfer of land in exchange of undue favour.
Addressing the media in Patna, Lalu, who was accompanied by his wife and former CM Rabri Devi, also rubbished reports that Nitish had been demanding clarification over the graft charges from his younger son who is the second most powerful minister in the Cabinet.
“During the legislator party meeting, it was decided that we will work together to strengthen the Mahagathbandhan government,” he said and quickly added: “Neither has he (Nitish) demanded Tejashwi’s resignation, nor any clarification.”
The RJD supremo reiterated that Kumar fully enjoys the support of Grand Alliance partners -- JD(U), RJD and Congress. He said that the alliance is intact and that the BJP will never succeed in its strategy to destabilised the bonding the three parties enjoy in the state.
“Mahagathbandhan is an outcome of hard work. The affection BJP is showing towards Nitish Kumar will yield no result,” he added.
Later this evening, party president Nitish Kumar will chair a meeting of JD(U) MLAs in the state capital. There are speculations that Kumar may look to act against his deputy over corruption charges against him in order to avoid the embarrassment of having to defend himself during the Assembly session beginning on Friday.
JD(U) members believe that Nitish, who is known for his zero tolerance to corruption, will be reluctant in defending Tejashwi if BJP launches protests on the Assembly floor demanding the resignation of the deputy CM who is yet give an explanation on the graft charges levelled against him.
