The BJP has set terms before the ruling alliance for a smooth monsoon session of the state legislature starting July 28.
"Remove Tejashwi Prasad Yadav for a smooth monsoon session", this is the condition laid down by the Opposition in Bihar.
Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, Prem Kumar, and his counterpart in the Legislative Council, Sushil Kumar Modi, were unequivocal in their respective stands for the smooth running of the legislature.
"Nitishji should remove Tejashwi from the council of ministers before the commencement of the session. If he fails to do so, we would not allow any other business to transact during the session before resolving the issue," Modi told The Telegraph on Sunday.
Prem was more hard-hitting in his stand.
"The onus of smooth running of the session is on the chief minister. He should not blame us for paralysing the House if Tejashwi is not removed by July 27," he said.
The BJP has been demanding removal of Tejashwi from the council of ministers ever since the CBI lodged an FIR against him in connection with land-for-hotel case.
The central agency has also conducted raids against Tejashwi on July 7, two days after lodging the FIR.
Modi added that since the RJD has made it clear that Tejashwi will not resign on his own and even the Congress had not been able to do anything to resolve the issue, the chief minister should dismiss his deputy without delay.
Expressing surprise over JDU leader Sharad Yadav's stand that the Grand Alliance need to remain united, Modi said: "The same Sharad Yadav had resigned from the Lok Sabha after his name figured in the hawala case".
"People of the state gave mandate to the Alliance in the name of good governance and corruption-free government. What would be the logic behind continuing the government if it compromised on corruption?" Modi asked.
Prem said a wrong message is reaching the people of the state over delay in Tejashwi's removal and many have started thinking that Nitish was doing so to cling on to the chair at any cost.
"The same Nitish used to remove tainted people from the council of ministers within hours when he was heading the NDA government, whereas when he is heading the Grand Alliance, he has spent days without doing anything substantial against his deputy who is facing corruption charges," Prem added.
