Patna: The RJD and NDA on Thursday traded barbs over the proposed Lok Bhavan march of Lalu Prasad’s party on Aug 19 with the opposition accusing the govt of failing to act against officials involved in alleged police brutality against students and the ruling alliance dismissing the move as political posturing.RJD national working president Tejashwi Prasad Yadav had announced on Wednesday that the party would take out a march from its Patna office to Lok Bhavan on Aug 19 against the lathicharge on students and alleged failure to act against officials who fired AK-47s at protesters in Siwan. He demanded that the govt clarify who had ordered the use of the weapons.BJP state president Sanjay Saraogi accused Tejashwi of playing politics over the students’ issue and said he was in Europe when students were protesting in Bihar. Saraogi said the march was merely a political stunt.JD(U) functionary and minister Shravan Kumar took a dig at Tejashwi, referring to his pre-election statement about taking oath as CM. “Someone who had announced the date for taking the oath as CM can go anywhere,” he said. Shravan said the govt was already taking action on the issue raised by the RJD.Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) chief and MP Upendra Kushwaha said the issue was no longer relevant as the govt had taken action. “But it’s good to see Tejashwi in action in Bihar, otherwise he spends maximum time abroad. Let’s see if he remains in the country after Aug 19 or goes abroad again,” the former Union minister said.JD(U) state chief spokesman Neeraj Kumar said Patna’s roads were good and Tejashwi should march, while also advising him to raise questions on old controversies.Meanwhile, a day after CM Samrat Choudhary held a separate meeting with BJP ministers, RJD MLA Bhai Virendra questioned the stability of the NDA, alleging “all was not well” within the alliance.Virendra alleged that after a full cabinet meeting, Samrat held a “secret session” exclusively for BJP ministers, keeping JD(U) ministers out. “This clearly indicates something fishy is brewing,” Virendra said, alleging BJP was trying to weaken JD(U).JD(U) minister Shrawan Kumar dismissed the allegation. “Why make an issue out of this? There is nothing wrong if the CM meets BJP ministers. Chief ministers meet ministers regularly,” he said.
