In poll-bound Bihar, parties fight over response to Sushant Singh Rajput’s death

LJP asks Bihar Minister Maheshwar Hazari whether his demand for CBI probe is just for getting published in newspapers

 

New Delhi(Agencies): Actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death is turning into a big political issue among political parties, including NDA allies, in Bihar, where elections are due later this year.

NDA ally LJP on Friday questioned why CM and JD-U leader Nitish Kumar was silent and had not yet talked to his Maharashtra counterpart Uddhav Thackeray for a CBI probe into Rajput's death.

LJP even questioned the motives of minister Maheshwar Hazari, who on Friday made shocking claims regarding Rajput’s “girlfriend” Rhea Chakraborty and demanded an investigation by the top central agency.

Senior LJP leader Sanjay Paswan asked the Bihar Minister whether his demand for CBI probe is just for getting “published in newspapers” as his party president Chirag Paswan had not demanded such an investigation but had also talked to Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray.

Hazari called Chakraborty a “contract killer” as well as a “venomous snake woman”.

Hazari was also quoted as saying: “Looks like this is a part of a big game. Sushant was killed and a huge gang is involved in it, therefore a proper detailed investigation must be done.”

She has been named in the FIR filed by the late Bollywood actor’s father in Patna.

Reacting to the Bihar minister’s demand, Paswan said Maheswari should not just concentrate on getting his name published in newspapers but also ask the CM to take the lead in the matter. He took strong objection to the way the minister appeared before the press after remaining ‘gayab (missing)’ for 45 days.

 “JD-U leader and Bihar minister Hazari says there should be a CBI probe in the death of Sushant Singh Rajput,” Paswan said.

 “He should tell why Nitish Kumar has not talked about this to his Maharashtra counterpart Uddhav Thackeray.

 “Our president Chirag Paswan has been regularly making the demand that Nitish Kumar should talk to Maharashtra CM.  Chirag Paswan has himself talked to Maharashtra CM twice on the issue

 “However, there has been no movement in this direction by the Bihar CM. Giving statements that there should be a CBI probe appears to be aimed at getting published in newspapers and publicity

 “I would ask the minister that if he can meet the CM or talk to him on phone, he should inform him about the suggestion by Chirag Pawan in order to get Sushant Singh justice,” said Paswan, who is also the vice president of the LJP.

Notably, not just LJP and Paswan, but the RJD also has been at the forefront of the issue related to Rajput, who belongs to Bihar.

BJP leaders, including former Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, have also been critical of the Mumbai police in the probe regarding the death of Rajput.

LJP patriarch and Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said there had been a confrontation between the two states and no FIR had yet been registered yet in Maharashtra.

 “Chirag (Paswan) had spoken to Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray that there should be a CBI probe. All political leaders are demanding for it. It (the case related to the death of Sushant Singh Rajput) should be handed over to the CBI,” said the senior leader from Bihar and a member of the Narendra Modi Cabinet.