Ramkripal Yadav and (right) Shakeel Ahmed Khan at the news conference in Patna on Sunday. Picture by Ranjeet Kumar Dey

Patna, Feb. 13: Reacting on the comment of chief minister Nitish Kumar on real estate boom in Patna, the RJD today slammed him and said he is confusing the people of Bihar.

While addressing a gathering yesterday during a programme on Mukhyamantri Kanya Suraksha Yojana (chief minister’s girls’ security scheme), Nitish said corrupt bureaucrats have been investing in real estate, which lead to a boom in the sector during his tenure. He added that he is keeping a close watch on it because he does not want growth happening on black money.

He also said he has asked the government’s principal secretaries and secretaries to find out the real reason behind the boom in real estate.

Taking strong note on his comment, RJD senior leader Shakeel Ahmed Khan said: “RJD is shocked to know that Nitish Kumar is wondering on the real estate boom in Patna. We have been demanding to conduct a survey of all the plots, building and apartments in Patna, which have come up in past five years. It’s very easy and you just need to visit the registry office. Don’t be shocked if you come to know that the land, which was available for Rs 5 lakh in 2005, would now come at Rs 50 lakh. The price of land and flats have become more expensive than Delhi and Gurgaon.”

He added: “Black money is being invested in real estate, which has resulted in a spurt in price of land and plots. The corrupt bureaucrats are investing in this sector to hide their black money and Bihar has become the epicentre to invest black money. You talk about any government scheme it MNREGA, Anganwadi or Indira Awaas Yojana. About 90 per cent of the money is being looted in all the state-sponsored schemes.”

Attacking Nitish Kumar, Rajya Sabha MP Ramkripal Yadav said Nitish is aware about all this. “Despite being aware of all this, Nitish is doing a drama and confusing people. He is not serious about eliminating corruption from the state and it’s just an eyewash. In our state there is no place for honest people with integrity and they can’t afford to buy land or flat because the price is too high. The chief minister is forcing people to become corrupt,” said Yadav.

He said: “Nitish Kumar’s alliance with BJP shows the character of the party because a man is always known by the company he keeps and history shows that BJP leaders are always involved in corruption, be it Bangaru Laxman or B.S. Yeddurappa.”

“My only question is regarding Nitish Kumar’s campaign against corruption and plan to seize property of corrupt officials and opening schools on it. They are all farce. Has any action been taken against corrupt officials? Any case takes more than three to four years before a judgment comes out. So how much time the chief minister would take to open schools? How many FIRs and complaints have been registered till now? Not a single person has been punished or put behind bars. Forget entire Bihar, at least do it in Patna,” said Ramkripal Yadav.