Journalists stage a dharna in Dehri-on-Sone in Rohtas district on Saturday in protest against the arrest of Navlesh Pathak, editor of a Purnea-based weekly, in connection with the Keshari murder case. Picture by Sanjay Choudhary

Patna, Jan. 8: The Bihar government today recommended a CBI probe into the murder of BJP MLA Rajkishore Keshari by Rupam Pathak.

Confirming the state government’s decision, director-general of police Neel Mani said the state government has asked for a CBI investigation into the Khajanchihat police station’s (Purnea) case, related to the murder of Rajkishore Keshari.

The recommendation was made after deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi wrote to chief minister Nitish Kumar demanding a CBI inquiry into the murder and also into the allegations of sexual harassment made by the assailant.

Modi had earlier resisted the demand for a probe by the central agency, saying the state police were better equipped to handle the case.

The letter of Modi, who had described the state police as “capable and competent” in investigating the intricate case, is apparently aimed at smothering the political pitch that the Opposition, mainly the RJD, has raised against the BJP on the issue.

When asked about the shift from his earlier stand, Modi said: “I still hold the view that the state police are better equipped to handle the case but since the Opposition is raising a finger on the state agency as the murdered MLA belongs to the ruling alliance, I have requested to the chief minister to consider a CBI probe into the case and end the confusion.”

The RJD, earlier in the day, demanded the resignation from the deputy chief minister for “resisting” a CBI probe and questioning the credential of Rupam by describing her as a “blackmailer”.

“Keshari’s political rivals are engaged in the abominable exercise to assassinate his character after his murder. Keshari is no longer alive to counter the allegations levelled against him. In such a situation, his family members and also the BJP want the case to be handed over to the CBI,” read Modi’s letter.

The letter to the chief minister is believed to be a part of the “well-thought out” plan by the BJP to silence the Opposition which is using the issue to pillory the image of the slain legislator and also the deputy chief minister.

What initially tempted the BJP leadership to resist the CBI inquiry was its apprehension that the central investigating agency, which is under the “control of the Congress-led government at the Centre”, might “falsely implicate” BJP leaders to settle political scores, said a BJP leader.

The party, apparently, sensed that by resisting the CBI probe it was giving a stick in the Opposition’s hand to beat it and score over it, the leader added.