PATNA: Leader of opposition Tejashwi Prasad Yadav has called for Bihar Bandh on Friday against the assault on MLAs, which took place inside the Vidhan Sabha premises on Tuesday. Upping the ante against the government, Tejashwi said he would continue with his protests and repeated his demand for an apology from chief minister Nitish Kumar.
RJD has also given its support to the nationwide strike called by the farmers' unions on Friday.
At a press conference at the RJD office, Tejashwi came down heavily on the state police calling them CM's police and JD (U)'s goons belonging to a particular caste. “Nitish Kumar’s goons were roaming in the assembly in civil dress. Everyone knows how democratic values were crushed in the temple of democracy. Even female legislators were manhandled and yet Nitish Kumar gave a clean chit to his officials.” He said Wednesday’s incident will be remembered in history as a black day when atrocities were committed against legislators on Lohiya Jayanti and Shaheed Diwas.
The younger Yadav scion claimed he had over 200 video footages to prove how opposition party legislators were kicked and thrashed. He even alleged the cops had intentionally targeted him during the march on Wednesday.
“In a democracy, it is our right to raise issues and go for debate. But I was not allowed to speak. Our fight will continue and we are not afraid of Nitish Kumar’s police. He will have to roll back the law or bring changes in it,” said Tejashwi.
“In 1974, socialist leaders had stopped the functioning of the House...That time Congress was ruling, yet no police were called inside the House. In 1986, Karpoori Thakur, who was the leader of the opposition, had staged a dharna in the House for three days and spent the night on a matter related to HEC. Nitish Kumar was one of the members of the House, but no police were called inside the House then.”
However, JD (U) state spokesperson Arvind Nishad dismissed the allegations. “He is speaking out of frustration and is instigating his party members. He and his party members should follow decency in the assembly.”
He added, “As far as the police are concerned, they are independent to take action and are not influenced by any political party. Again, calling for a bandh or a march is his democratic right, but RJD people should follow rules and regulation.”