Patna, April 25: Chief minister Nitish Kumar is planning to set up a task force to curb corruption, said JD (U) spokesperson and MLC Sanjay Singh today.

Sanjay also slammed RJD chief spokesperson Shakeel Ahmad Khan for questioning Nitish’s stand on the Narendra Modi issue about senior IPS officer Sanjiv Rajendra Bhatt’s affidavit that Modi had directed the police to allow Hindus to vent their anger in the aftermath of the Godhra carnage.

Speaking on the occasion, Sanjay said: “During the meeting with party workers in today’s janata darbar, Nitish has asked road construction minister Nand Kishore Yadav to form a task force comprising both BJP and JD (U) party workers to curb corruption at the state level. It has not been decided as to how many members would be included in the task force as the matter is in process but it will be in place in two months.”

Singh added: “The party members today complained that bribery at block and sub-divisional level still exists and there is no other mechanism to curb it. Nitish has taken the decision after looking into the matter. The primary job of the task force would be to give suggestions to the government. They will offer their advice.”

Slamming Khan, Sanjay said: “Nitish Kumar does not need to speak on the matter as the matter is subjudice. The law will take its own course.”

Sanjay alleged that the prime accused in the 1989 Bhagalpur riots, Kameshwar Yadav had the backing of Khan. “He is asking for the Nitish’s stand and comment but everyone knows that the man responsible for the Bhagalpur riots, Kameshwar Yadav, had support from Shakeel Ahmad Khan”.

Kameshwar Yadav was felicitated by then chief minister Lalu Prasad when he came out of jail. During Nitish’s regime, the case was reopened and he was convicted and awarded life imprisonment.