Patna: The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) on Monday demanded that Nitish Kumar step down as Chief Minister immediately, claiming that he is an accused in a murder and arms case under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code and Arms Act.
Speaking at a press conference, RJD leader Jagdanand Singh said that Nitish doesn't deserve to be the Chief Minister as a number of criminal charges have been filed against him.
"The victim whom Nitish Kumar had killed is still waiting for justice. Normally, the criminal comes up against the state. But when the criminal is the head of the state, the case becomes a State vs State scenario," he said.
They also said that Section 302 is the biggest section of the Indian Penal Code ( IPC) and that a person accused of the same cannot represent the state because the laws are equal for everyone.
RJD also accused Nitish Kumar of safe-guarding the criminals in Bihar ever since he became the Chief Minister. "When Nitish took office for the first day, East Bihar's top most criminals were standing beside him. It is because of them that we were called Jungle Raj. All the criminals and criminal activities were backed by Nitish".
The RJD further stressed that Nitish Kumar must resign because he himself tried to establish that a person free of corruption charges should be the Chief Minister of the state.
This, however, wasn't the first time the RJD leveled such allegations. On July 26, soon after Nitish pulled out of the Grand Alliance, RJD chief Lalu Prasad said: "Nitish Kumar knew that he is accused of section 302, one of India's CM is main accused in murder & arms case."
Meanwhile, speaking in his first press conference after snapping ties with long time ally RJD, Nitish on Monday explained that he had given Lalu Yadav ample opportunities to explain the charges of corruption against him, but to no avail.
If Lalu had explained himself over the corruption allegations, then situation could have been different in Bihar, Nitish said.
"I had asked Lalu to clarify the allegations of corruption against him and put the facts forward. It will send a positive impact on the public and which is also good for 'mahagathbandhan’. I have tolerated everything, thought this happens in alliance as I didn't have a choice. I continued my work for the betterment of people," he added.
Earlier, Lalu invited Janata Dal (United) co-founder Sharad Yadav to lead the fight against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Nitish , who, according to him, joined hands with "communal and fascist forces and betrayed the people's mandate".
"Nitish has tarnished the image of Ambedkar. I urge Sharad Yadav, whom we consider the true leader, to travel to every corner of the country and come to Bihar and join our fight against the BJP and Nitish Kumar," Lalu said.
