'Similar things happened in 2017': Nitish on CBI, ED action against Lalu, Tejashwi

In contrast to the stand he took in 2017, when he wanted ally RJD to 'come clean', Bihar CM Nitish Kumar termed the present raids 'politically motivated'

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday agreed with ally RJD's contention that the recent crackdowns on its president Lalu Prasad and his family members by the CBI and ED were "politically motivated".

This was in contrast to the stand he took in 2017 when he wanted the ally to come clean on charges of corruption.

The JD(U) leader also rubbished speculations that he was maintaining an eloquent silence on the issue because of anxieties about tarnishing his own image for probity by aligning with "tainted" politicians and could even be thinking of breaking away with the "Mahagathbandhan", which besides RJD, also includes the Congress and the Left.

Also Read | ED searches Lalu's family, RJD says agencies following someone else's script

Journalists asked Kumar of his views on the questioning of Lalu Prasad and his wife Rabri Devi by the CBI earlier this week. The CBI questioning was followed by raids conducted on a number of premises, including the houses of his three daughters and a daughter-in-law by the ED on Friday and a fresh summons issued by the CBI to his younger son, Bihar Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav.

In a video statement, RJD Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Kumar Jha warned that the people of Bihar would take to the streets upon learning that Tejashwi Yadav's "pregnant wife was taken ill with high blood pressure" because of the ED raids at her house that "continued till 4 am today".

"What do I have to say, those who are at the receiving end are giving an adequate response," said Kumar in his trademark enigmatic style, before adding, "similar things happened in 2017 when I was on this side (in the anti-BJP camp). Now that I am here again, these things are happening again."

The allusion was to the land for hotels case in which the ED had named, along with others, Tejashwi Yadav, who was the Deputy CM then as well. Kumar recalled having asked the young RJD leader to "explain" his side of the story and the BJP having exploited the situation to its advantage.

"The raids did not happen for five years from 2017. Why are they happening now? The simple reason is that I am a part of the Mahagathbandhan. Such raids will not intimidate us and our government will function smoothly in Bihar," Kumar said.

Also Read | RJD cries foul as ED raids premises of Lalu's kin and close aides

Kumar was understood to have asked Yadav to resign his ministerial berth on moral grounds for the period till his name was cleared, a proposition the RJD did not agree with. The JD(U) leader then himself resigned as the chief minister and the BJP, his former ally, came with the offer of unconditional support.

Subsequently, Kumar formed a new government with the BJP, less than 24 hours after resigning.

"I do not wish to take any names because the person (in BJP) who came to me with the offer of support may get further marginalised in his party," said Kumar, but dropped his guard when journalists found the clue and mentioned former Deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi.

"What do I say about Sushil Kumar Modi? I need not repeat that I never wanted him to suffer his current fate. But he is welcome to keep speaking against me. Maybe it will resurrect him politically," said Kumar, visibly upset over the tirade against himself by the former deputy ever since he dumped the BJP in August last year.

Kumar also made light of his JD(U) not being a signatory to the recent letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in protest of the CBI arresting Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, and said, "I will be there when all parties (opposed to BJP) agree to unitedly fight the next Lok Sabha polls."

The JD(U) chief, however, reiterated, "I have no (prime ministerial) ambitions for myself. I had made it clear even at the recent convention of CPIML(L) where all constituents of the Mahagathbandhan were present. I had even asked the Congress to take the lead in forging oppositional unity."

To a pointed question as to whether he could think of pulling out of the "opposition camp" because of corruption cases against leaders of most non-NDA parties, he exclaimed, "The question does not arise."

(With inputs from IANS)