Corruption charges against Tejashwi Yadav: JD(U) gives ally RJD four days ultimatum

Nitish Kumar had called a meeting of JD(U) MPs, MLAs and other office-bearers of the party to discuss the CBI raids on RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family members.

Patna: The Janata Dal (United) and its leader Nitish Kumar on Tuesday gave it ally Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) an ultimatum of four days to decide on Bihar deputy minister and scam-tainted Tejashwi Yadav in benami properties case.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had called a meeting of JD(U) MPs, MLAs and other office-bearers of the party on Tuesday to discuss the CBI raids on ally and RJD chief Lalu Prasad and his family members.

As per IANS, Nitish broke his silence over Tejashwi, against whom a corruption case has been filed by the CBI, saying he has zero-tolerance against corruption.

"I shall not compromise with my principles. I am firm on my resolve of zero tolerance against corruption," Nitish Kumar said while addressing his party Janata Dal-United`s leaders and workers at his official residence here.

According to Nitish, Tejashwi should explain his position or issue a clarification regarding the allegations of corruption levelled against him.  

"I will not tolerate corruption. The CBI has not raided me," Nitish Kumar was quoted as saying by a senior party leader.

Without naming RJD chief Lalu and Tejashwi, Nitish Kumar said fact-wise reply should be given in public by those against whom allegations of corruption had surfaced.

"So far, the reply or explanation given by them is not satisfactory. They should come out with fact-wise reply in public."

According to sources in the JD-U, Nitish Kumar said whenever there were allegations of corruption levelled against any JD-U leader, his party had taken the necessary action.

"RJD will have to take action against its leader. It is for RJD to act against Tejashwi as he has been named in an FIR by the CBI."

However, the Chief Minister said that he and his party would not break the ruling Grand Alliance. "Hum gathbandhan todenge nahi... akhri dum tak isse bachane ki koshish karenge (We will not break the Grand Alliance... we will try to save it till the end)."

JD(U) spokesperson Neeraj Kumar told the media that his party wanted that those facing allegations of corruption should come out with facts in the public domain. "JD(U) will not compromise on corruption and crime," he said.

A FIR has been registered against Tejashwi for amassing benami properties in Patna and Delhi. 

On Monday, the RJD had rejected the demand for resignation of party leader and Tejashwi in an alleged land-for-hotels scandal that saw the CBI conducting raids at homes and other properties of Lalu and his family members last week.

The RJD's 80 MLAs in Patna unanimously decided to back Tejashwi and his father in several corruption cases.

Meanwhile, the BJP has offered its support to the JD(U) from outside if it breaks out of Grand Alliance comprising the JD(U), the RJD and the Congress.

Meanwhile, some RJD ministers and legislators were seen going to the 10 Circular Road residence of Rabri Devi to reiterate support for Tejashwi Yadav.

Ministers Alok Mehta and Vijay Prakash, party chief whip Lalit Yadav and MLAs Bhai Birendra and Sarabjeet were among them.

(With Agency inputs)