Even as calls for his arrest for brandishing a policeman’s gun threateningly at a crowd are growing, controversial JD(U) leader Ranvir Yadav on Tuesday accused several Opposition parties and even the Maoists of hatching a conspiracy to assassinate Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar during recent public protests.
“On a stretch of about 1.5 km between the Khagaria district magistrate’s office and the venue of the CM’s meeting, there was a plan ready to assassinate him in the name of violent public protests. In the unusually unruly crowd were people linked to the RJD, CPI(ML) and Congress. We have also learnt of a Maoist hand in the this conspiracy,” said Mr Yadav, a former MLA and husband of sitting JD(U) MLA Poonam Devi, to journalists while talking about the violence during Kumar’s visit to Khagaria on September 27.
With police officials tight-lipped on the whole matter and not talking about any such conspiracy for assassination, Mr Yadav’s accusations have surprised many. Opposition leaders dismissed Yadav’s accusations as “utter tragedy”.
Mr Yadav, who has completed a jail term following his conviction in the 1985 massacre of nine people, was caught on camera holding a policeman’s carbine aloft and brandishing it menacingly at a large crowd protesting against Mr Kumar’s visit to Khagaria. He also allegedly fired in air from the carbine, a charge he denies.
After the TV footage caused shock and invited criticism for the JD(U), the party initially tried to disown him, saying he was not one of its members.
But with Mr Kumar himself publicly saying that Mr Yadav helped him pass through the angry protesters and then JD(U) national president Sharad Yadav praising Mr Yadav’s contributions to the party, the little-known former MLA now seems to have suddenly become accepted within the JD(U) as a leader of some standing.
“When the CM says he was saved by Yadav, then what would happen to people like us who do not travel with policemen carrying guns? Such statements are wrong in a democracy,” said ruling ally BJP’s state president C.P. Thakur.
Several BJP leaders are demanding action against Mr Yadav.