BJP defends its leader on 'slap' episode

Patna, Apr 17 (UNI) BJP in Bihar today defended party MLC Giriraj Singh, who allegedly slapped Assistant Commercial Tax Commissioner Laxmi Naryan Prasad when the latter 'refused' to give donations for the 'Bharat Suraksha Yatra'.

State BJP president Radha Mohan Singh told newspersons here that the allegations levelled by Mr Prasad against the party MLC were 'politically motivated'.

He said the officer, instead of filing an FIR, was raking up the issue through the media.

He claimed that Mr Giriraj Singh did not even know the officer adding the party MLC was also in charge of 'Bharat Suraksha Yatra' during its Bihar leg of journey.

Reacting to the issue of the Congress member of Bihar Legislative Council (BLC) Professor Arun Kumar's appointment as the acting chairman of BLC, the state BJP president said it was a temporary arrangement and Mr Kumar deserved to be the chairman in view of his seniority.

Mr Singh said 'Bharat Suraksha Yatra' proved successful in the state despite inclement weather.

He said members of minority community also exuded keen interest in the Yatra, particularly in Aurangabad and Chapra districts.

The state BJP President alleged that the RJD and the Congress tried to spread canards against the Yatra but such apprehensions proved wrong.

He said the Yatra was successful in the extremist-dominated areas of Gaya district and congratulated the government for ensuring 'incident free' Yatra in the state.

The Yatra would yield positive results in days to come, added Mr Singh.

UNI DH JYN RN SB KN1830