Third LJP (RV) Legislator in Row; Chirag Paswan Calls for Probe
Chirag Paswan seeks probe into allegations against a Bihar minister, the third LJP (RV) legislator embroiled in controversy in a month.
The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) is grappling with a third controversy involving its legislators in less than a month. The latest case centres on a Bihar minister and MLA who has been accused by Janshakti Janta Dal leader Tej Pratap Yadav of inappropriate behaviour with a woman at a Delhi hotel.
While party chief and Union Minister Chirag Paswan has not directly commented on the specific allegations, he called for an investigation on Friday. Speaking to reporters at Patna airport, Paswan said he has always avoided commenting on allegations without first establishing the facts. "Whenever allegations are made… there should certainly be an investigation," he stated.
The matter escalated after the legislator in question sent a legal notice to Tej Pratap Yadav, demanding Rs 50 crore in damages over alleged defamatory social media posts. Paswan noted the case had become more serious as the woman concerned had come forward publicly with her account. He stressed that such matters should be viewed independently of political differences and not turned into political controversies.
"Everyone's dignity and honour, whether a woman or a man, must also be respected," Paswan said, urging leaders to avoid political remarks until the facts are established. He added, "The correct information should first come before the public, and only after that should anyone get involved in the matter."
This incident follows recent cases involving two other LJP (RV) MLAs. Belsand MLA Amit Kumar Ranu has been named in around 10 FIRs related to an alleged land grab case in Muzaffarpur. Ranu has denied the allegations, claiming police found no incriminating material during a search of his residence and that the disputed land did not belong to him or his family.
Earlier this month, the wife of Vimal Kumar, the Executive Officer of the Dehri-Dalmianagar Municipal Council who was allegedly killed by his driver, accused local MLA Sonu Singh of demanding Rs 50 lakh from her husband. She claimed the driver acted in connivance with the MLA. Singh has called the incident "personally heartbreaking" and expressed anguish over his name being linked to the case.