The seal of approval for Nitish Kumar's NDA government in Bihar has been set. Only two days ago, the government had proven its majority in the legislature. However, startling allegations have emerged of attempted bribery within the ruling JD(U) party itself. JD(U) legislator Sudhanshu Shekhar filed an FIR in Patna's Kotwali police station on Tuesday, accusing party colleagues of soliciting him with a bribe of 100 million rupees and a cabinet position prior to the confidence vote.
Sudhanshu Shekhar, representing the Madhubani district's Harlakhi seat for JD(U), was the subject of an investigation according to the Deputy Superintendent of Police (Law and Order) Krishna Murari Prasad. 'On February 11, legislator Shekhar lodged his complaint. We registered the case under the relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and have begun the investigation,' stated ASP Prasad.
'Nitish Kumar's government wins the confidence vote in the assembly'
It's notable that the newly formed NDA government, led by Nitish Kumar, had won the confidence vote in the legislature on Monday. Before the vote, three legislators from the RJD - the largest party in the opposition Mahagathbandhan alliance - joined the ruling NDA coalition. Before the floor test, Tejashwi Yadav and other RJD leaders had claimed some 'game' was about to happen, following which BJP had tightened its defenses. The exchange of accusations among the coalition lawmakers continues after the floor test.
'Conspiracy to create a hostile environment against the NDA'
Sudhanshu Shekhar disclosed in the complaint that party MLA, Sanjeev Kumar, had offered him a large sum and a cabinet spot to help create an atmosphere against the BJP-led NDA coalition. He also accused Sanjeev of attempting to 'kidnap' two other party legislators to prevent them from participating in the confidence vote.
'I am an honest man...'
Earlier, in an interaction with journalists at the Bihar Legislative Assembly, Shekhar professed, 'Yes, I have been offered the ministerial role and 'five' (meaning 50 million rupees), and later the same amount again. Since I am an honest person and fully trust our leader Nitish Kumar, I declined. I wasn't the only party legislator approached, several others were also presented with similar offers,' he alleged, suspecting MLA Dr. Sanjeev Kumar's involvement in the entire affair. 'Sanjeev was tempting party legislators to vote in favor of the RJD.
Sanjeev Kumar, on his end, rebutted, 'I am innocent and consider Nitish Kumar as our leader. As for the accusations laid by our party legislator (Sudhanshu), I assure you it's a weaponization against me by a faction within our leadership.'
'Conspiracy to defame me'
He continued, 'There are two individuals within our party that I absolutely detest, they are behind this scheme to tarnish my reputation. When Sudhanshu was addressing the media, I approached him to inquire about the allegations he made, but the moment I began questioning him in front of the journalists, he fled. I know Sudhanshu well. He's a good man, acting on commands of two worthless leaders, whom I do not favor.'
The police had stopped Sanjeev Kumar, the MLA from Parbatta seat, during his return from Ranchi on February 12 and escorted him to Patna for security reasons.
'Bima Bharti's husband and son jailed'
In another development, Bima Bharti, another JD(U) legislator, saw her husband and son arrested under the Arms Act. Bima represents the Rupauli seat of Purnia district. Her husband, Awadhesh Mandal, was taken into custody over allegations of illegal weapons possession. Notably, Bima Bharti was among five legislators with whom the party had lost contact over the past few days, fueling speculation that they had defected to the RJD.
