Denial & defiance over ‘video of Giriraj’

Patna: Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Prasad Yadav on Sunday accused BJP leaders of plotting to create a riot-like situation in Bihar, and tweeted a video in which Union minister Giriraj Singh can allegedly be seen urging protesters to raise slogans against police.

Tejashwi said the clip is from Darbhanga, where Giriraj and Bihar BJP president Nityanand Rai had gone on Saturday to meet the family members of Ramchandra Yadav who say the septuagenarian was killed for naming a chowk (square) after Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Police and deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi have, however, blamed the killing on an old dispute over land.

Tejashwi tweeted: “Union Minister Giriraj Singh inciting Crowd against his own government in Bihar. He asks crowd to shout against DSP. “DSP Muradabad”.Nitish Kumar handles home department and Giriraj Singh openly going against Bihar CM. Nitish is helpless and BJP totally wants to ruin Bihar now.”

The BJP spoke in two voices. Contacted, BJP spokesperson Sanjay Singh Tiger attacked Tejashwi: “He is leader of Opposition. Before posting any video, he must verify its authenticity, only then will the BJP respond.”

Giriraj, however, replied to Tejashwi’s tweet in Hindi: “I can say with conviction that police officers who are involved in manipulating the case should be taken to task.”

Tejashwi demanded Prime Minister Modi and chief minister Nitish Kumar take action against the Union minister of state (independent charge) for micro, small and medium enterprises. “Giriraj Singh and Nityanand Rai have been given the responsibility of creating riot-like situation and Nitish ji is keeping mum,” he alleged. “The BJP takes out procession without the district administration’s permission. The BJP is trying to communalise society to divert attention from the defeat in Araria and Jehanabad.”

Courtesy: The Telegraph