After the arrest of Janata Dal (United) candidate and strongman leader Anant Singh in connection with the Mokama massacre in Bihar, political rhetoric has intensified in the state. While the opposition is accusing the government of protecting criminals, National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leaders are calling it an example of “rule of law” and “impartial action”.
State BJP President Dilip Jaiswal said on the arrest of Anant Singh that the rule of law is established in the state and the police have full right to take action to ensure justice.“The law is taking its course,” he said. The court keeps a close watch on all this and ultimately takes the appropriate decision.
Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai, targeting Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), said that “Tejashwi Yadav knows that most of their leaders are people who protect criminals.” During the Jungle Raj from 1990 to 2005, criminals found shelter everywhere. People who committed crimes like massacre, rape, murder and dacoity used to take shelter in the houses of RJD ministers. Protecting criminals, practicing nepotism and grabbing land of the poor are part of RJD’s nature.
Meanwhile, Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan said, “If our government had given protection to criminals, last night’s action would not have taken place.” Chief Minister Nitish Kumar always says that we neither implicate anyone nor save anyone. This arrest is part of the judicial process and there is no scope for any kind of bias in it.” He also said that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government does not wait and as soon as facts and evidence are found, immediate action is taken. He said that in the NDA government there is no delay in justice and the harshest punishment is given.
Meanwhile, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Misa Bharti questioned the government’s intentions and said, “People saw the entire Mokama incident. Anant Singh’s convoy of 60 vehicles demonstrated strength in the market. This action has not been taken by the Bihar government, but under the pressure of the public and the Election Commission.” He said that if there was really rule of law in the government, this action would have been taken long ago, and not when the public got angry and the opposition started raising questions.
At the same time, RJD spokesperson Mrityunjay Tiwari termed it as a ‘satisfying arrest’ and claimed that when the government started getting embarrassed, the administration came into action. He said, “Tejashwi Yadav was continuously asking questions as to why action was not being taken on the Mokama firing incident. This arrest was made late, which clearly shows that the government took this step only under pressure.” He said that this incident not only raises questions on the law and order situation of the state, but also raises doubts on the impartiality of the government at the time of elections.
(With PTI inputs)
