Nitish Kumar’s selfie with liquor mafia kingpin
PATNA: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s photograph and selfies with 2012 Bihar hooch tragedy accused Rakesh Singh has left the Janata Dal (United) red-faced. Embarassed over selfie with CM , which went viral in the social media, acting swiftly, the party terminated the membership of Singh on Tuesday.
The move comes two days after the JD(U) supremo was photographed with Singh at the former’s official residence in Patna on Sunday.The party stated that Singh has been expelled post allegations of his involvement with liquor mafia in the state.
Earlier, the Bihar CM clarified that Singh had accompanied a teacher, who had refused to accept dowry for his son’s marriage. “Neither I nor our state president had an idea about this man. But once questions were raised we took no time in dissociating ourselves with him,” Kumar said.
In 2012, nearly 29 people were killed after consuming liquor supplied from a shop owned by Singh, a block president of the ruling JD(U) in Bhojpur district. He spent two years in jail and is currently out on bail facing trial, said sources.
Rakesh Singh was JD-U President of Ara block in Bhojpur district and was locally known as a “dabang” (heavyweight) and considered as one enjoying political clout in the power corridors of Patna
In the recent photograph, Singh is seen sitting beside the Bihar CM during. He reportedly took a few selfies with Kumar.
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav alleged that the prohibition imposed by the Nitish-led Bihar government is a “farce” and that the JD(U) depends on earnings through illicit liquor for its finances, inviting a sharp reaction from the ruling party. “The prohibition is a farce,” he said. “The JD(U) is heavily dependent for its finances on earnings through illicit liquor.”
“But in the photographs we see a JD(U) leader sharing space who happens to be the main accused in a 2012 hooch case …The way he got an entry into the high-security official residence of the CM raises many questions about the chief minister’s sense of judgement with regard to the people he chooses to interact with,” Yadav said on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Nitish Kumar on Tuesday denied allegations leveled against him by the Opposition RJD that he has been patronising liquor mafias.“Neither I nor my party was aware of his background. Action against him was initiated immediately after his involvement with liquor business surfaced,” chief minister Nitish Kumar said during a programme in Patna.(With agency inputs).
