Tehelka|September 30 2016
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Seated on a plastic chair under the shadow of a neem tree in front of his sprawling house at his native village of Pratappur in siwan district, Mohammad Shahabuddin is encircled by hundreds of supporters round the clock. they belong to different sections in society as well as political parties. no less than 50,000 people from remote areas of the state have congratulated him since he was granted bail by the Patna high court and freed on 10-13 september. in an hour-long interview with kanhaiya bhelari, it is clear he knows the latest fallout of his utterances have triggered a storm in political circles. But his body language suggests he is not worried. rather, he is engaged in solidifying his stronghold among the masses, presumably to take on the battle of ballot that may take place in days to come.

You have triggered an earthquake in political circles by making the statement that Nitish Kumar is Chief Minister due to circumstances. What do you really want to say?

I am not a cunning politician. Whatever I speak, that comes from the bottom of my heart without fear and favour. I have expressed the truth. Just like HD Deve Gowda, Inder Kumar Gujral [former PMs] and Madhu Koda, Nitish Kumar was selected the leader of a coalition under compulsion to check the BJP from coming to power in Bihar. Is it not true? It was Lalu Prasad Yadav who had initiated the Grand Alliance right after facing humiliating defeat in the general elections. It clicked.

But you could have avoided taking up the controversial question in the interest of the coalition. Do not you realise, your answer has put the survival of the 11-month-old Nitish-led government at stake?

This story is from the September 30 2016 edition of Tehelka.

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This story is from the September 30 2016 edition of Tehelka.

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