Chirag, Nitish's JD(U) spar over law and order in Bihar

Union minister Chirag Paswan on Saturday expressed “regret” over having to support the Nitish Kumar-led NDA government in Bihar, accusing it of having “surrendered” before criminals and triggering a sharp reaction from Kumar's Janata Dal (United), which asked the LJP (Ram Vilas) president to “first ensure that his own party does not induct those with criminal antecedents”.

- Vijay Swaroop

The Hajipur MP, who led to the JD(U)'s tally to crash in the 2020 assembly polls by fielding candidates of Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) in all seats contested by the CM's party, made the comments while speaking to reporters after a rally in Gayaji where the report of a gang rape has triggered outrage.

“The incident is deplorable. The accused may have been caught, but the fact remains that the administration is unable to prevent such crimes from occurring. It appears that the police have surrendered (nat-mastak) before criminals,” Paswan said.

“I regret having to support a government which is unable to prevent such crimes. We should think of the trauma the victims of such incidents have to undergo. The situation has, indeed, become scary,” he said.