Law Kumar Mishra
Patna, June 3
The simmering differences between the leaders of two major partners in the ruling NDA in Bihar plunged to a new low with a fresh war of words over the ambulance scam in Siwan district.
Tunna Ji Pandey, BJP MLC who represents Siwan local bodies in the state legislative council who is one of the legislators to purchase ambulances last year, on Thursday alleged he was being attacked by a defeated JDU leader (Bikram Kunwar, former minister) who is a political Maoist. Pandey also alleged official machinery was abused to seek a majority for the chief minister, Nitish Kumar last year.
Pandey even alleged Nitish Kumar had promoted liquor grade in Bihar in 2009 and threatened he would expose the nexus between liquor traders and Nitish Kumar.
Pandey claimed people of Bihar had voted for Tejaswhi Prasad Yadav in last year’s assembly elections, but Nitish Kumar manipulated victory.
Another BJP legislator from Siwan, Karanjeet Singh alias Vyas Singh too supported the statement of Pandey and said in democracy everyone was free to have independent opinion.
Disciplinary committee of the Bihar unit of BJP issued a show cause notice to Pandey seeking his response in 10 days. Committee Chairman Vinay Kumar Singh said Tunnaji Pandey had been served a show cause notice and asked to submit a reply within 10 days.
National secretary general of JDU, K C Tyagi, too demanded BJP ND leaders to take action against the BJP legislator..JDU will not tolerate such indiscipline in NDA.BJP-JDU is led by Nitish Kumar for the last 15 years, he recalled and disputed the claim of BJP leader over choice of Nitish as chief minister. Tyagi said, “Nitish Kumar is the choice of Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and JP Nadda.
Pandey’s statement against the chief minister invited instant strong reaction from the JDU. Mr Upendra Kushwaha,chairman of the parliamentary board of JDU demanded immediate expulsion of Pandey from the BJP as his statement adversely affected the NDA.
Sanjay Kumar Singh, principal spokesman of JDU said fingers of those trying to raise fingers on the integrity of Nitish Kumar would be chopped off.