Soon after the Income Tax raids on at least 22 locations in Delhi and adjoining areas at the premises of ‘people and businessmen’ connected to the land deal involving Lalu Prasad and his family’, on charges of benami (proxy) properties worth ₹1,000 crore, the Bihar BJP welcomed the moves while a complete lull has prevailed outside the gate of Mr Prasad’s residence in Patna.
Earlier on Monday, the Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish kumar had told journalists that “if those who have been making charges against Lalu Prasad Yadav have substance in their allegations they should take legal course instead of making statements in media”.
However, the BJP leaders in Bihar have welcomed the move of I-T raids on Lalu Prasad’s property.
“The I-T department has conducted raids on Lalu’s properties after Bihar CM Nitish Kumar on Monday broke his silence on the issue after 40 days....we’ve been exposing all these benami (proxy) properties fraudulently accumulated by Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family members worth ₹1,000 crore”, state BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi said.
Complete silence at Lalu’s residence
Meanwhile, a complete silence has prevailed outside the residence Mr. Prasad at 10, Circular Road in Patna.
Some senior party leaders like Mundrika Singh Yadav and Bihar AAG Chitranjan Sinha were seen moving hurriedly inside Mr. Prasad’s residence. However, none from inside have come to face media yet.
Earlier, the BJP leaders had alleged that all the companies owned by Lalu Prasad’s family members for the purpose of dubious land transactions had no employees, no business activities and no turnover. Bihar's biggest shopping mall spread over 7.5 lakh square feet too is coming up in Patna as part of such dubious transactions, BJP leader Sushil Modi had alleged.
On the question of Mr Prasad’s proposed BJP bhagao, Desh Bachao rally on August 27 to unite all the non-BJP parties, Mr Modi recently had said, “who knows Lalu Prasad will be in or out of jail by August 27”