Nitish asks partymen to keep mum on Lalu's CBI raids

Sources say the CM doesn’t want new problems in already strained ties with the RJD. M I Khan reports from Patna.

As the Central Bureau of Investigation conducted searches at 12 locations after registering a corruption case against Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family members, MLAs and spokespersons of Janata Dal-United, his alliance partner in Bihar, are maintaining a silence over the issue.

They have reportedly been instructed by party chief and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar not to issue any statement in this regard as it may worsen the already strained ties between the two parties.

No JD-U leader is ready to say anything on the matter.

According to a senior JD-U leader, the spokespersons held an hour-long meeting at the party office in Patna following instructions from the chief minister. After the meeting, most JD-U spokespersons switched off their mobile phones.

"JD-U spokespersons held a closed-door meeting," the leader said.

When asked about it, party spokesperson Sanjay Singh said, "The JD-U is studying the matter. We will not say anything right now."

"Nitish Kumar has directed JD-U spokespersons not to issue any statement to the media over the CBI raids because it may create trouble in Bihar’s ruling Grand Alliance," another JD-U leader, considered close to Kumar, told Rediff.com.

The Bharatiya Janata Party is asking Kumar to snap ties with the RJD and sack Lalu’s younger son and Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yaadav following the CBI raids. The CBI also reportedly questioned Tejashwi.

Kumar, who is camping in Rajgir in Nalanda district about 100 km from Patna since Thursday afternoon, has refused to say anything on the matter so far.

However, he discussed the situation with party spokespersons, the chief secretary, home secretary and the director general of police.

JD-U leaders said that Kumar left for Rajgir for some rest, on the advice of doctors.

Bihar’s ruling Grand Alliance is already divided over several issues and there are reports in the media of souring ties between Lalu and Kumar over the part month. Therefore, the JD-U is not in a mood to create more problems.

The allies have had a different stand over the goods and services tax and support to National Democratic Alliance presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind, who was Bihar governor before being nominated in the race for Raisina Hill.

Last week, the JD-U had attended the special midnight meeting convened by the NDA government to roll out the GST, while the RJD boycotted it.

The Congress, another member of the Grand Alliance, also kept away from it.

In the past, Kumar had also spoken in favour of the Centre’s demonetisation move.

Meanwhile, soon after news of the raids spread, hundreds of RJD workers and leaders -- including ministers and legislators -- gathered outside the 10 Circular Road residence of Lalu and his family.

According to sources within the RJD, Lalu's wife and former CM Rabri Devi, along their sons Tejashwi and Tej Pratap, who is state health minister, were in the house during the CBI raid.

IMAGE: RJD Supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav arrives to appear before CBI Court in a case related to Fodder scam in Ranchi on Friday. Photograph: PTI Photo