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Leaders angry over Mahatma statement
The statement of Bihar BJP chief C.P. Thakur describing slain Ranvir Sena chieftain Brahmeshwar Singh as Mahatma Gandhi sparked anger among all political leaders cutting across party lines.
He (Thakur) is a Padmashree award-winning doctor and former head of medicine of Patna Medical College and Hospital. He has simply brought a bad name to Bihar by equating Brahmeshwar with Mahatma,” said senior Congress leader Kripanath Pathak, adding that Thakur’s statement was testimony to the fact how low could one fall while indulging in caste politics. “Thakur has abused the Father of Nation by equating him with Brahmeshwar,” Pathak said. Noted Gandhian Razi Ahmad was also surprised over Thakur equating Gandhi with the Ranvir Sena chief. “Mahatma had given the message of peace to the world from Bihar. A man of Thakur’s qualification should have desisted from making an utterly cheap statement,” he said. Lalu Prasad said: “They (Sangh Parivar) first killed Gandhi. Now you can see what they are doing with the great man’s name.” Thakur had equated Gandhi with Brahmeshwar at an official news conference. Deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi disassociated himself from Thakur’s statement, saying: “I have nothing to say on someone’s personal opinion.”
Seven-year work spoilt in 7 hours
A senior JD(U) leader belonging to an Extremely Backward Caste said in a pensive mood: “The hoodlums spoilt chief minister Nitish Kumar’s seven-year-old image of susashan (good governance) only in seven hours of their unbridled violence on streets.” He was cut-up with police chief Abhayanand for allowing protesters to enter Patna but was quite appreciative for the chief minister. “We still have strong faith in Nitish. He is a sensitive person who has done a lot for the people,” the leader said, adding that Nitish’s only folly was tolerating the incompetent police chief from a particular caste and taking the support of the castemen who ran most dreaded militia against the Dalits. Strolling with the JD(U) leader, senior RJD leader Ramkripal Yadav said: “Nitish Kumar is a hypocrite. He has always sided with the reactionary forces, fooling Dalits and other weaker sections.” Thus, the war of words has refused to die in the wake of the killing of Brahmeshwar and the subsequent violence on the streets.
Ex-top cop in Lalu company
The former director-general of police, Asish Ranjan Sinha, is frequently seen at RJD chief Lalu Prasad’s home. A kurmi, Sinha and chief minister Nitish Kumar belong to the same caste. It is believed that Sinha was in the queue for the Lok Sabha ticket from Nalanda in 2009, but Nitish did not entertain him. The chief minister did not accommodate Sinha in any position following his retirement. Now, Sinha has “switched side” and joined Lalu. A wag at Lalu’s home said: “Nitish, a deft leader, would never promote another leader of Sinha’s stature from his own caste. A good leader never allows another of his caste to grow.” Throughout his tenure as an IPS officer, Sinha was in the good book of both Lalu and Nitish. He adorned high profile offices as long as he was in service, be it the Lalu or Nitish regime.
Good sense prevails, finally
Till the last year, Lalu Prasad blamed the “sinful” rule of Nitish Kumar-led NDA for frequent droughts and floods in the state. “The rains came on time and people were happy during my rule because our dispensation was made up of good souls,” the RJD boss would say at the drop of the hat till the last year. When a reporter pointed out about two months of protracted heat wave and no rain, Lalu said: “Main phaltu baat nahin bolta… rajya jal raha hai or apko majak sujha hai (I don’t speak nonsense. You are in a mood to joke when the state is burning.”
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