Patna: Hinting internal squabble within the JD(U), former Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi today alleged that the Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi was being insulted by the ruling party workers at the behest of his predecessor Nitish Kumar.
“The Chief Minister Manjhi is being slammed by some JD(U) leaders at the behest of his predecessor Nitish Kumar for visiting the RJD supremo Lalu Prasad's estranged brother in law Anirudh Prasad alias Sadhu Yadav's house for feast,” he said in a statement.
Taking the JD(U) to task for questioning Sadhu Yadav's controversial background, Modi flayed the ruling party leaders for making snide remarks against the Chief Minister for being seen with the RJD supremo's estranged relative despite the fact that there were other such leaders and legislators in the JD(U) ranks itself.
“I want to know from Nitish Kumar whether or not he will campaign for those MLAs whose name evoke fear in their constituencies during the next assembly polls,” Modi, a senior BJP leader wondered.
Taking Kumar to task for joining forces with the RJD supremo Lalu Prasad and imploring him for merger, the former deputy chief minister said that in such a scenario the new outfit will be swelled with leaders with muscle power like the ex-RJD MP Md. Shahabuddin, Pappu Yadav, Surendra Yadav, Ranvir Yadav and Ritlal Yadav.
“Let Kumar say it publicly that he will not be campaigning for these strongmen during assembly polls,” Modi asked.
In another swipe at Kumar, Modi said that the former had chosen Manjhi as his successor with an eye on the votes of sizeable Mahadalit voters during the assembly polls and not towards any respect for the downstrodden section, but when the chief minister started exercising his constitutional powers his predecessor could not digest the same and in the process development works had got derailed in Bihar.
