Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, Oct 7: The BJP has accused the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and former Bihar deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav of “looting” government property while vacating his official house and said the act reflected his poor mentality and upbringing.
“Sofas, water taps, wash basins, air conditioners, lights, beds are missing from the official bungalow vacated by Tejashwi Yadav,” the BJP claimed suggesting that the items have been “stolen” by Yadav while vacating on Sunday the official bungalow he was allocated as the deputy chief minister when the RJD was in alliance with the chief minister Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) party.
The RJD has hit back asking the BJP to release the inventory from the concerned government department.
Bihar BJP’s media in-charge, Danish Iqbal attacking Yadav on Monday said various items, including furniture, AC units, lights, plant pots and even the badminton court mat, were missing from the residence after he left.
“The base of the bed is missing, the AC and lights have been removed, and the water outlets in the washroom have been taken out. Even the badminton court mat has been taken, and the fountain lights and sofas have been taken. It’s clear that when Tejashwi Yadav vacated the house, he took everything with him. This speaks volumes about his mentality,” Danish Iqbal said.
“Samrat Chaudhary has been allotted this bungalow and was to shift to this house in Navratri. Essentials such as wash basins, water taps, and furniture are missing. The hydraulic bed has been taken away. The mat in the badminton court has been taken away. The gym is empty, there are no exercise machines. Foundation’s lights have been taken off,” claimed Mr Iqbal, who also inspected the premises.
“I’m not just accusing him, but it is completely proven. The way Tejashwi Yadav vacated his official residence, shows his upbringing. The way he vacated the house, he has displayed how to loot government’s property,” he added. Iqbal also said that CCTV cameras installed at the residence had their hard drive missing.
Mr Yadav vacated the bungalow as it is allotted to the incumbent Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary of the BJP who is scheduled to move into the bungalow at 5 Deshratan Road in Patna on the auspicious occasion of Vijayadashami.
“We are bringing to light how the Deputy Chief Minister’s house has been robbed of its belongings. When Sushil Modi had shifted to this house, there were two hydraulic beds, there were sofa sets for guests and this was for everywhere to see, including the press. All those things are missing,” Shatrughan Prasad, Personal Secretary of Samrat Chaudhary, said. “More than 20 split ACs are missing. There is no computer or chair in the operating room. There is no fridge or RO in the kitchen. Lights have been snatched from the walls,” he added.
The RJD, in its defence, asked the BJP to get the Bhawan Nirman Vibhag to release the inventory, failing which they should apologise. “The leader of opposition in Bihar assembly has vacated the 5 Deshratan Marg bungalow. The Bhawan Nirman Vibhag must release the inventory. We have all the evidence. Our people, along with media, were also making a video. We challenge you to release the inventory or apologise if you can’t do that,” said Shakti Yadav, national spokesperson, RJD.
Jumping into the controversy, Union Minister Giriraj Singh, who represents Begusarai in Bihar, also slammed the RJD leadership and demanded a detailed probe to establish the scale of ‘theft’ at the Deputy Chief Minister’s residence.
The Chief Minister’s JD(U) also echoed the BJP, saying it was already unfortunate that Tejashwi vacated the government bungalow so long after stepping down from his position. “This was already unfortunate, and to add, Tejashwi took away the valuables too,” JDU spokesperson Neeraj Kumar said.
Meanwhile, the RJD refuted the allegations, as party spokesperson Mrityunjay Tiwari claimed the BJP was being involved in petty politics.