patna

Updated: Nov 03, 2017 21:02 IST

PATNA A spat between JD(U) and its former ally RJD, over success or otherwise of prohibition in Bihar, turned into a bitter slanging match between the two sides on Friday, with dignity of a woman turning an ‘incidental casualty’.

The ruling Janata Dal (United) accused RJD chief Lalu Prasad and his sons –Tej Pratap Yadav and Tejashwi Prasad Yadav as ‘habitual drinkers’. Ruling party spokesmen also produced a snap shot of Tejashwi Prasad Yadav with a girl and a bottle of liquor in the background.

The move came a day after Prasad’s younger son and leader of Opposition in state assembly Tejashwi had targeted chief minister Nitish Kumar for meeting Ara hooch tragedy (2012) accused and JD(U) block president Rakesh Singh. citing Singh’s selfie with CM that had gone viral on the social media.

Taking unkindly to Tejashwi ‘mocking’ the CM for claiming that he was unaware of Singh’s antecedents, JD(U) chief spokesman Sanjay Singh led the charge, saying, “The picture is indicative of the stuff former deputy CM, who claims himself to be a youth icon, is made of. He seems to be more interested in wine and women.”

Tejashwi was quick to respond, saying, “It is a snap that was taken when I played Indian Premier League (IPL). Lot of fans and women get themselves photographed during post match parties. What is wrong about it?” he asked.

“These people are slighting the girl, who might be married and having kids by now”, said Tejashwi, clearly upset.

Though other JD(U) spokespersons Neeraj Kumar, Nikhil Mandal, Arvind Nishad and Om Prakash Setu, were present with Singh, were unsure whether Tejashwi’s picture was taken before or after his elevation as deputy CM (in November 2015).

But their retaliation, targeting Tejashwi, seemed to have been fuelled at least in part by Lalu Prasad’s allegation earlier that JD(U) spokesmen regularly consumed liquor but the police did not dare to raid their homes.

Neeraj Kumar said that the matter could best be explained by the person concerned. He, however, stuck to his charge that Prasad and his sons consumed liquor. “We are ready to provide our blood samples to a pathology lab of Prasad’s choice, provided the other party also agrees,” he said.

Refuting the charge that authorities felt handicapped in raiding the premises of ruling party spokesmen, Neeraj Kumar said all of them were willing to authorise Prasad for carrying a search at their homes, once he was ready to have his house searched.

“It will expose, who has stock of liquor at his home and who is doing what,” he said.

The JD(U) spokespersons, accompanied by state general secretary Naveen Arya, also raised the question why Tejashwi did not stay in Bihar Niwas in Delhi, despite he being entitled to. They appeared to be hinting Tejashwi had ‘other reasons’ for not staying at the Bihar government guest house in New Delhi.

Tejashwi, on his part, said, “I am amazed at the (low) level of the issues being raised. By this standard, we will also want to know why the chief minister prefers to stay at Dwarka in Delhi.”

On being asked where the mud-slinging would end, JD(U) spokesperson Neeraj said, “Lalu and his family have started it. We will follow him to his grave.” RJD spokesperson Shakti Singh Yadav retorted, “We will not back off.” It appeared there was more to come.

QUOTE

It is a snap taken when I played IPL. Lot of fans, women get themselves photographed at post match parties. What is wrong about it? These people are slighting the girl

Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, RJD leader

QUOTE

The picture is indicative of the stuff former deputy CM, who claims himself to be a youth icon, is made of. He seems to be more interested in wine and women

Sanjay Singh, JD(U) chief spokesman