Bihar: ED questions Tejashwi Yadav in 'land-for-jobs' scam
Patna (PTI): Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav is being questioned by ED sleuths here in connection with the agency's money laundering probe into the alleged land-for-jobs scam, officials said.
The former Bihar deputy chief minister reached the ED office around 11.35 am, they said.
His father and RJD supremo Lalu Prasad was questioned by the probe agency's officials for over nine hours on Monday regarding the same case.
The central probe agency had on January 19 issued fresh summons for questioning Prasad and Yadav.
Earlier in the day, RJD MP Manoj Jha asserted that the BJP's top leadership is "afraid" of opposition parties, and it is targeting them by "misusing" central investigation agencies.
"The BJP is using the ED, CBI and IT Department against those it is afraid of... That is why it is trying to break (opposition parties) through these central agencies," he told PTI.
Shakti Singh, RJD's Member of Legislative Council (MLC), claimed, "It's a known fact that Tejashwi Yadav was a minor at the time when the alleged scam took place. BJP leaders are ruffled as he provided a large number of jobs to people in the previous 'Mahagathbandhan' government in Bihar."
The RJD was a key constituent of the 'Mahagathbandhan'.
Reacting to the RJD's allegations, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Samrat Choudhary told reporters, "When Lalu Prasad was the CM, he was involved in the fodder scam. When he was the Railways Minister, the land-for-jobs scam took place... The ED will certainly investigate the case."
The land-for-jobs' scam pertains to appointments in the Railways allegedly in return for land parcels between 2004 and 2009.
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Mamata alleges BJP disrupted her Bhabanipur rally, Suvendu claims 'she's nervous'
Kolkata (PTI): Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee cut short her speech at a rally in her Bhabanipur constituency, alleging that the BJP was deliberately playing loud music from a nearby public meeting.
A peeved Banerjee said despite having the required permission of the Election Commission, her rally in Chakraberia was disrupted by the BJP, "who want to capture Bengal by intimidation and threat".
"It is not possible for me to go ahead with this meeting. If they can do such a thing in my constituency, imagine how undemocratic the BJP is. If they behave like this, I have to take legal action," she said.
"This is an insult, humiliation. BJP is stepping on our toes to instigate trouble. Not possible to address the gathering in this situation. I am leaving the stage. Please vote for me in your protest," she added.
Banerjee was then seen calling someone over and venting her grievances.
Before leaving the stage, she said, "I will hold a rally tomorrow at the same spot."
TMC supporters then rushed towards the BJP rally, which was later addressed by Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, but security personnel intervened and prevented the situation from escalating.
TMC workers later staged a demonstration outside the local police station and filed a complaint, alleging that the BJP violated the model code of conduct.
A senior TMC leader said another complaint will also be lodged with the Election Commission.
Asked about Banerjee's allegations, Adhikari told reporters after the rally he held nearby, "Her reaction shows she is nervous about the imminent loss."
"There was no violence, no obstruction in her meeting and her behaviour shows her nervousness. On May 4, people of Bhabanipur will celebrate the victory of the BJP," he claimed, alleging that the TMC also tried to disrupt his meeting by playing loud music.
South Kolkata's Bhabanipur, one of the battleground seats in the West Bengal elections, will vote in the second phase on April 29.
