Patna, Feb. 2: Taking a jibe at chief minister Nitish Kumar, JD (U) Rajya Sabha member Upendra Kushwaha today said the level of corruption had gone up in the state in the past five years.

Kushwaha made the statement while addressing a gathering in memory of late socialist leader Amar Sahid Jagdev at SK Memorial Hall in the state capital.

The dissident leader had been earlier removed from the post of JD (U) national general secretary. Kushwaha also asked all the cabinet ministers to disclose the source of their assets.

Taking serious note on the issue of campaign against corruption, Kushwaha said: “The corruption level has increased in the past five years and Nitish Kumar has failed to curb it. No work has been completed without bribing and the system prevails at every level. Corruption needs to be dealt very strictly and one person cannot change the entire system. Every person of the state should come forward to fight the menace.”

He added: “This is a war against corruption and I am always ready to be a part of it. Nitish Kumar is trying to fight with it but he is not doing enough. I truly support his stand on the issue of corruption.”

Kushwaha today declared his assets publicly by showing the papers and also asked Bihar cabinet ministers to declare the source of their assets.

He said: “All the ministers are just declaring their assets but not the source of it. I must ask all of them to kindly disclose the source of the assets to maintain transparency. I will request Nitish Kumar to make a provision for declaring the source of the asset. I declared my assets today, along with the source of income.

“I am sure my candour will embarrass those who have been making false accusations against me. I am ready to face any punishment if I am guilty. The government can hang me, if I am proven corrupt,” he added.

The dissident leader had earlier staged a daylong dharna demanding a probe into the property of some JD (U) leaders, after they alleged that he had accumulated huge assets after becoming a Rajya Sabha member.

Reacting sharply to the allegations, Kushwaha said: “I do not listen to what others say about me. I just do my work. I have already said that I am ready to face any probe. I would like to request my detractors to not insult me or challenge my credibility.

“It is very easy to point out the mistakes of others and not accept one’s own,” he said.