RJD chief Lalu Prasad is yet to respond to allegations, the channel says. (IE)

On the very first day of going on air, the Republic TV showed a report alleging a conversation between RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and criminal turned politician Mohammed Shahabuddin on a tape, in which the latter was purportedly heard of issuing instructions. As per the report, the RJD chief is yet to respond to allegations. The channel also alleged of having received multiple calls from former Bihar chief minister asking it not to play the tape. However, Financialexpress.com cannot verify the authenticity of these tapes.

Arnab called on Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to respond on the incident and taken an action. Responding to the entire episode, Bharatiya Janata Party’s Sushil Modi said, ‘Lalu must quit public life’. He also said that a BJP delegation will meet state governor soon on the issue.

Republic of Arnab has exposed how Lalu is taking instructions from Dreaded criminal Shahbuddin.Will Nitish act ? — Sushil Kumar Modi (@SushilModi) May 6, 2017

“Republic of Arnab has exposed how Lalu is taking instructions from Dreaded criminal Shahabuddin. Will Nitish act?” wrote Modi on his twitter account. However, Tehseen Poonawalla called it a completely baseless report. “This is such baseless & made up story on @laluprasadrjd ji on @republic tv. Coz if true 1st answer how do u have pvt conversation?” he posted on Twitter.’

Read: Lalu-Mafia tape: From Venkaiah Naidu to Sheila Dikshit, here’s how political leaders reacted

The channel claimed that Lalu was taking instructions from Shahabuddin on phone over riots. The channel quoted former Delhi CM and Congress leader Sheila Dikshit who refused to comment on the incident by saying, “Not my style to comment on others.” As per Republic TV, leaders of both JD(U) and Congress, the ruling partners in Bihar are yet to respond on the tape.

Sushil Modi to Republic: ‘Your expose makes clear that Lalu and Shahbuddin are running Bihar government’ #LaluTapeExposed — Republic (@republic) May 6, 2017

Lok Janshakti Party leader and son of Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan responded to the allegations by asking, “Who runs the Govt in Bihar. The CM or Lalu’s gangster ?” Speaking to the channel, BJP leader Siddharth Nath Singh said that Nitish Kumar “has no option but to file a FIR against Lalu Prasad, as per your tape”. He also alleged that mafia was running the state government.