Come clean or quit: Nitish to Tejashwi
NEW DELHI: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has given a ‘lifeline’ to Tejashwi Yadav, who is the number 2 in his government. Clearing his stand on Tejashwi, the JD (U) on Tuesday said that those facing corruption charges should face the public and come clean on the corruption charges and we are confident it will happen.
“I shall not compromise with my principles. I am firm on my resolve of zero tolerance against corruption,” said Nitish Kumar while addressing JD(U) leaders and workers at his home in Patna. Kumar would meet Tejashwi Yadav at a cabinet meeting.
Explaining the statement of Kumar, a senior party leader said, “Tejashwi has to come clean on corruption charges, else JD(U) would be bound to take a ‘strong’ decision, which may not go in favour of the Grand Alliance. The Alliance has been given the mandate to provide corruption free government and the party would not compromise on any such issues that would put government’s clean image at stake.”
“As of now the JD(U) has not asked Tejashwi to quit as Bihar’s deputy chief minister, but the message was clear. Tejashwi has to explain how the allegations of corruption against him do not hold or resign from the government,” said party leaders, who were present in the crucial meeting.
Referring to several instances in the past when Kumar has asked his ministers to quit over corruption charges, JDU spokesperson Neeraj Kumar said, “We created a precedent by taking the resignations of our own ministers. Also we have acted very strongly against our as well our ally’s MLAS. Actions against Anant Singh (JDU) and Raj Ballabh Yadav are the examples of our zero tolerance against corruption and crime.”
During a similar meeting on Monday, Lalu Yadav’s party announced that Tejashwi will not quit on the basis of what the CBI has presented so far. Lalu Yadav has said that the charges are fabricated and that in any case, when the alleged transgression took place, Tejashwi Yadav was a minor. But at the JD(U) meeting, several party leaders suggested ending the alliance with RJD.