Row over estate value

The unprecedented rise in real estate value has whipped up a war of words between arch rivals RJD and JD(U). When Nitish Kumar ruled out black money as the reason for the steep rise in prices, RJD MP Ram Kripal declared that the chief minister was being less than honest and that all the apartments were being purchased by persons who had made money through corrupt means. he JD(U) was livid over the charges. “The RJD is ignoring the ground realities. During their regime people were afraid to buy property because there was always the threat of being kidnapped or getting an extortion call. During our regime, people feel it is safe to buy apartments,” said JD(U) MLC Sanjay Singh. The truth, developers and builders say, is something in between. “While a large number of buyers are those who had not purchased flats during the previous regime, an equal number are government officials. An abnormally large number of block level officials are making a beeline to purchase flats and property in Patna and other towns and many of them are willing to pay any price,” remarked a builder, stressing that he knows of an apartment which was sold for Rs 1 crore — a price unheard of in the state capital.

Tapes and action

Four dissident MPs of the JD(U) remained adamant in not appearing before the disciplinary committee of the party to explain their stand. According to panel sources, explanation from two of the dissident MLAs were sought on phone and it was taped. Ironically, MPs like Monajir Hasan, Puranmasi Ram and Mahabali Singh, whose sons and relatives, fought against the official candidates in the last Assembly elections, had the same explanation that they had no control over their kin and that they themselves remained loyal soldiers of the party. “It’s getting funnier and funnier,” conceded a member of the panel. He, however, insisted that there would be a crackdown on the MPs and at least one MLC. Watch this space for more.

Mukhiya power

With the panchayat polls approaching, a large number of government employees and teachers want to take a shot at becoming mukhiyas — or at least make their wives one in their respective panchayats. The state election commission, which conducts the polls, has issued clear instructions that those aspirants who were in government service or in institutions which were government-aided, will have to quit before filing their omination for the polls. “For the last five years, people have seen mukhiyas getting rich — driving SUVs and having their house decked up with expensive tiles. A large number of block level employees are confident that there is more money in becoming a mukhiya than hanging on to government posts. However, most would prefer the best of two worlds by continuing with the job and getting their wives or kin elected as mukhiyas,” said an MLA.

Awards galore

It’s raining awards for chief minister Nitish Kumar. After a national media house declared him the politician of the year, another Middle East-based organisation, called the Indian Association for Bihar and Jharkhand, has decided to bestow on Nitish the Maulana Majrul Haque award. This has caused considerable heartburn among his rivals. “Nothing succeeds like success. I wonder how many organisations would have given him an award for bringing development to Bihar had he lost the polls,” wondered an RJD leader.