Land-for-jobs scam: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar smells a rat behind CBI, ED raids

PATNA: Chief minister Nitish Kumar said on Saturday that the fresh raids on the premises of RJD chief Lalu Prasad's daughters and son in connection with the alleged land-for-jobs scam were happening only after JD(U) and RJD came together in Bihar. "Earlier, the raids happened in 2017. Then we (JD-U & RJD) parted ways. Five years on and the raids are happening again when we are together. So, what should I say on all these matters," the CM said.
Though Nitish raised doubts about the timing of the raids, especially after his reunion with RJD and the motives behind it, he neither condemned the central agencies' actions against members of Lalu Prasad's family nor supported his deputy Tejashwi or any member of Lalu Prasad's family.
He added that the people whose premises were being raided by the Enforcement Directorate were giving their replies on such raids. "Humko is par kya kehna hai (What can I say in these matters)," he said.
"I have not given any reaction on such matters since the beginning. If such things (raids) happen at any place, I do not speak anything on such matters," Nitish added.
"In 2017, when the raids were conducted (on the premises of the then deputy CM Tejashwi), I had asked him to explain (in public). After that some matters happened and people from the NDA camp started talking to me. Accepting their arguments, I went with them (NDA). But now, when I have again come (with RJD), the raids against them (RJD leaders) have started. What the matters are (behind the raids), only they (RJD leaders) can explain. They are giving their replies. then what should I say on these matters," Nitish said.
Asked about a fresh summon issued by the CBI against Tejashwi, the CM said, "What actions they (CBI) are taking only they can explain. Issuance of summons by the CBI is not a new thing. Earlier, too, they had issued summons. There is no big deal in it. What was the outcome of the CBI raids (on the premises of Lalu, Rabri Devi) in 2017? Now they are conducting similar raids after a gap of five years."