Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and his Lok Jan Shakti Party (LJP) counterpart Ram Vilas Paswan on Wednesday demanded the resignation of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar pending completion of investigation by the CBI into alleged irregularities in withdrawal of Rs 11,412 crore from the treasury.
Talking to reporters separately, Mr. Paswan demanded the imposition of President's rule, while Mr. Yadav maintained that he would approach no one, saying he had faith in the judiciary. Mr. Paswan said he would call on President Pratibha Patil and submit a memorandum. The RJD would accompany the LJP.
Mr. Prasad, however, ruled that out later.
Both, however, said the constitutional mechanism had broken down in Bihar with more than 67 Opposition legislators being marshalled out of the Assembly in an attempt to silence the voices raised against the financial irregularity, pointed out by the CAG.
Mr. Prasad said neither he nor Deputy Speaker Shakuni Chaudhary were allowed to enter the Assembly premises.
“Unfortunate”
Mr. Paswan termed the events in the Assembly unfortunate. The way Opposition legislators were beaten up amounted to “murder of democracy” at the hands of the Janata Dal (United) and BJP combine.
