PATNA: Union home minister Amit Shah on Sunday spoke to Bihar Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar over phone and took stock of the incidents of communal disturbances in Bihar Sharif and Sasaram; inviting a strong protest from the ruling JD(U).
The governor is believed to have apprised Shah about the prevailing situation in the state.
While addressing a public rally at Hisua rpt Hisua in Bihar's Nawada district, Shah himself revealed that he spoke to the Governor over the recent incidents of communal disturbances in the state.
"I telephoned the governor this morning. This irked Lalan Singh (JD-U national president) who asked me why I am worried about Bihar. Arre Bhai (brother), I am the home minister of this country and Bihar’s law and order situation is also a part of this country. I am worried about Bihar’s law and order because you cannot handle it well," Shah said while referring to his telephonic talk with the Governor.
Shah also said, "I pray to God to restore peace in Bihar as soon as possible, because there is no meaning to make a request to the state government."
Shah’s move invited strong protest from CM Nitish Kumar’s party JD(U). Its spokesperson and MLC Neeraj Kumar said the Union home minister "insulted" the country’s federal structure by taking feedback from the governor, instead of the elected chief minister Nitish Kumar, on the issue of communal disturbances which is a "state matter".
Neeraj also alleged that Shah didn’t speak to Nitish because he belonged to the backward class. He also alleged that Shah adopted similar practice in West Bengal where he used to prefer to talk to the governor, instead of CM Mamata Banerjee.
