Leader of Opposition in Bihar Assembly, Tejashwi Yadav on Tuesday asked whether CM Nitish Kumar would ask PM Narendra Modi for an impartial probe into Panama papers and action against those whose names have figured in them.
"Names of the BJP's Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh's son, actor Amitabh Bachchan who is brand ambassador of the NDA government's sanitation programme and one of the Adani brothers have so far figured in Panama papers. People fear that the case may be put in cold storage like the Vyapam scam in MP because of the involvement of people closely associated with the BJP. Will Nitish Kumar ask the PM for an impartial probe in Panama papers and action against the persons involved?" Tejashwi asked addressing a press conference here.
Alleging that Bihar CM has "double-standards" on the issue of checking corruption, Tejashwi said if Nitish Kumar was still firm on his commitment of zero tolerance (on the issue of corruption). "Will Nitish Kumar ask the PM to ensure punishment to all those who are involved in the Vyapam scam?" he asked.
He said that Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif had to resign due to his involvement in the Panama case. Several other countries have already started probe against the persons whose names are mentioned in the Panama Papers. "But in India, the matter has been put in cold storage because of involvement of people closely associated with the BJP," Tejashwi, the younger son of RJD supremeo Lalu Prasad, said.
Quoting a recent report of the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), Tejashwi said 75% of ministers in the new NDA government in Bihar are 'tainted.' Criminal cases are pending against 75% of ministers of Nitish Kumar's new government. CM Nitish himself is facing charges under Section 302 of the IPC.
"How is Nitish Kumar sitting next to tainted ministers when he had problem sitting by my side after an FIR against me? Where has Nitish Kumar's morality gone?" Tejashwi asked.
He also said that Bihar CM should clarify before the nation whether he was an accused in a murder case. "How can a person accused under Section 302 of the IPC be sworn in as the CM?" he asked. Tejashwi also disclosed that altogether five cases were pending against deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi.
Terming Nitish Kumar as 'Kursi-Premi', Tejashwi further said Nitish was known for ditching pro-Mandal and pro-secular forces since 1990s and have done it again in by forming a new government with the BJP in Bihar.
He said when RJD boss was fighting for the cause of backwards and poor in Bihar in 1990s after the Mandal agitation Nitish Kumar left the pro-Mandal camp and joined the "Kamandal" camp led by L K Advani. "Then, Nitish had joined hands with the communal forces that demolished the Babri Mosque. He has repeated it again when all opposition parties across the country are trying to unite against the "Kamandal" forces," Lalu's son said.
