Tensions rise as the opposition party criticizes the premature statements made by police and administrative officials, fueling a contentious political controversy in the state.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Bihar has vowed to take action against officials who disputed the cause of death of a party leader following a lathicharge incident. The opposition party criticized the premature statements made by police and administrative officials before the post-mortem report was released.
Vijay Kumar Sinha, the Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly, expressed strong objection to the officials' behavior, accusing them of acting as spokespersons for the current dispensation. Sinha emphasized that their actions were being closely monitored and warned of repercussions once the regime changes.
The controversy stems from the death of Vijay Singh, the Jehanabad district general secretary of the BJP. The local administration asserted that Singh was not present near the Dak Bungalow crossing, where police employed "mild" force, tear gas shells, and water cannons to disperse a procession headed towards the Vidhan Sabha.
In response, State Minister Shravan Kumar, a close aide of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, deemed the demise of the BJP leader "unfortunate" and called for an investigation. However, Kumar squarely blamed the opposition party for the lathicharge, highlighting that party members carried packets of chili powder, which they allegedly threw at the police.
BJP State President Samrat Choudhary, who is also the leader of the opposition in the legislative council, denied the allegations of chili powder being used, demanding proof. Choudhary emphasized the presence of wounds on BJP workers as evidence of the lathicharge.
Meanwhile, BJP members from both houses of the legislature are preparing for a march to the Raj Bhavan later in the evening. During the march, they plan to present Governor Rajendra Arlekar with a memorandum detailing their grievances and concerns.