New Delhi: BJP on Saturday accused the Nitish Kumar government in Bihar of playing a role in the grant of bail to gangster-turned-politician Mohammad Shahabuddin, also a murder convict, by presenting a “weak case” in court saying the development highlights the state’s slide into “Jungle Raj”.
“The government presented a weak case and Shahabuddin received bail. It did not hire good lawyers to present its side. BJP is of the view that the government has played a big role in the creating this atmosphere of fear in Bihar,” spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain told a press conference.
Referring to the fanfare after the RJD leader was released from jail, Hussain said state ministers and MLAs were part of the procession.
“The government has failed in tightening noose around criminals. Nitish Kumar should accept that jungle raj has been established in Bihar.”
Latching onto Shahabuddin’s remarks that Kumar is a “chief minister of circumstances”, Hussain raised questions over law and order situation in the state as someone “associated with the ruling party and having involvement in criminal cases” is targeting head of the government. RJD is in power with JD(U) in the state.
Kumar is also JD(U) president.
“No RJD party leader is ready to consider the head of the government as their leader in this jungle raj,” he said, noting morale of criminals has gone up with Shahabuddin’s release.
He further said that the BJP will hit the streets and be on the side of people of the state as the “atmosphere of fear” is allegedly being created in Bihar.
“We will expose the government on each turn, will stand against criminals, we will hit the streets to protect people. We can’t sit with ease in this atmosphere of fear being the main opposition party,” Hussain added.
Taking a jibe at Kumar, Union Minister Giriraj Singh said he hoped that Shahabuddin will help spread the message about his “good governance”. Four-term ex-MP from Siwan, Shahabuddin walked out on Saturday after 11 years in jail. The Patna High Court had given him bail in a 2004 murder case on September 7. (PTI)
