Patna (Bihar) [India], March 19: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) president Lalu Yadav appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday as part of its investigation into the land-for-jobs scam. At the same time, RJD supporters gathered outside the ED office in Patna, staging protests.
On Tuesday, Lalu Yadav’s wife and former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi, along with their son Tej Pratap Yadav, were questioned by the ED in connection with the case. Earlier this month, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) concluded its arguments regarding charges against Lalu Yadav, Rabri Devi, Tejashwi Yadav, former Minister Prem Chand Gupta, and others in the IRCTC hotels tender corruption case. The CBI has confirmed that there is sufficient evidence to charge all accused individuals. This case pertains to the time when Lalu Yadav served as the Railway Minister from 2004 to 2009.
In a separate controversy, Rabri Devi sparked a political uproar after making “bhaang” remarks against Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, alleging he disrespects women. This led to a heated session in the Bihar Assembly on March 7, where Rabri Devi demanded the resignation of Nitish Kumar. The incident intensified the political tension, leading to RJD legislators walking out in protest, accusing the Chief Minister and the ruling NDA of disrespecting women, including Rabri Devi.
The exchange between Nitish Kumar and RJD during the Assembly session intensified after the Bihar CM accused RJD of dynastic politics, criticizing Lalu Yadav for appointing his wife Rabri Devi as Chief Minister in 1997 when he was jailed in connection with the fodder scam.