PATNA: As the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) stayed the transfer of 149 circle officers (COs) made earlier by revenue and land reforms department (RLRD) minister Ram Surat Rai, the latter has adopted a strong posture on the issue, leading to the reappearance of the rift among NDA allies BJP and JD(U).
The BJP, however, went on a damage control mode on Sunday as deputy CM Tarkishore Prasad, who was on way to Darbhanga, met Rai at his Bochaha residence in Muzaffapur district and had an in-camera discussion with him for more than an hour. Soon after the meeting, state BJP spokesman Arvind Singh said, "Rai is not at all annoyed. The solution to the problem will be found. CM Nitish Kumar himself will find the solution."
For the BJP, nipping the bud immediately was of utmost importance since PM Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Patna on July 12 in connection with the centenary celebration of 100 years of the state legislature building. Also, since the presidential election is due on July 18, the BJP cannot afford to have any open or behind the scene rift with JD(U).
"The post of a minister is not the paternal property of anyone. My sentiments have definitely been hurt (by the stay made by the CMO on the transfer of the COs). I will not mind quitting the post. Somebody else can come and run the department in a better way," Rai had said in Muzaffarpur on Saturday.
The minister had also said he would not hold janata darbar anymore. "Henceforth, people should themselves find the solution to their problems," Rai had said.
JD(U) state spokesman Nikhil Mandal said Nitish, in the capacity of the CM, "leads the government, and can review the decision (made by any minister)." As to the assertion of Rai that "land mafia" has been dominating the RLRD, Mandal said, "Where is the mafia? They are in jail."
Meanwhile, state Congress MLC and the party's media department head Prem Chandra Mishra said Rai should resign on his own, because the transfers made by him reeked of corruption. RJD state spokesman Mrityunjay Tiwari alleged that the "culture of loot and corruption" prevailed in the state, and the opposition would continue to raise the issues and seek explanations from the government.
