Sad to support a government that can’t control crime: Chirag Paswan

Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) president and Union Minister Chirag Paswan on Saturday launched a scathing attack on the Nitish Kumar-led NDA government in Bihar, saying that the law and order situation in the state has collapsed completely.

In an apparent dig at Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who also holds the crucial Home Department, Chirag said: “I feel sad to be supporting a government where crime continues unchecked.”

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Talking to journalists in Patna on Saturday, the NDA leader said that incidents such as rape, murder, kidnapping, and dacoity are regularly happening in Bihar. One after another, a series of criminal incidents is occurring in the state. It seems that the administration has completely bowed down to the criminals.

He condemned the gang rape of a 26-year-old woman in a moving ambulance after collapsing during a Home Guard recruitment drive in Gaya.

He said: “Agreed, action has been taken in this case and the accused have been arrested as well. But my question is, how did they dare to do this? If this continues, the situation will be frightening; in fact, it already is.”

Reacting to the conspiracy theory linking rising crime to the upcoming elections in Bihar, he said: “It is said that it is happening because of the election. It might be a conspiracy to defame the government. Even if I agree to this theory, it is the responsibility of the administration to control it.”

“How can someone commit a crime if the administration is committed to stopping it? Either there is a collusion with the administration, or the administration is working to cover it up. Or the administration has become completely incompetent. And now it is not in their control to keep Bihar and the people of Bihar safe,” he added.

Chirag’s constant attack on Nitish Kumar for the deteriorating law and order situation in the state has created fissures in the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in Bihar.

Reacting to the LJP (R) leader’s statement, JD(U) chief spokesperson Neeraj Kumar said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have faith in Nitish Kumar. He added that the people of Bihar, too, remain confident in Nitish Kumar’s leadership.

He said: “If someone’s mind is disturbed, it’s not a big issue. But when the heart is in one place and the soul in another, there is no end to that pain.”

Another NDA leader, Jitan Ram Manjhi, said that Chirag Paswan’s political career is very short. He has criticised the state government because he has not seen the situation Bihar has experienced in the past.

In a post on ‘X’, Manjhi stated: “I am proud to support a government in Bihar that does not compromise with crime and criminals. It not only uncovers every criminal incident but also sends the criminals involved in those incidents behind bars. We are proud that there is a government of good governance in Bihar under the NDA’s leadership.”