Congress demands disqualification of JD (U) MLA and Minister

Patna, Apr 28 (UNI) Bihar Congress today urged the State Election Officer (SEO) to initiate steps for quashing the membership of JD (U) MLA from Jhanjharpur and Sugarcane Minister Nitish Mishra for holding offices of profit.

In a letter to SEO, state Congress chief spokesperson and All India Congress Committee (AICC) member Prem Chandra Mishra told newspersons here that Nitish Mishra also occupied the post of Additional Director (Administration) in Muzaaffarpur based Lalit Narain Mishra College of Business Management, a constituent unit of Bihar University since March 25, 2002.

Copies of the Congress leader's letter had also been sent to Bihar Governor Gopal Krishna Gandhis Kolkatta office and Chief Election Commissioner BB Tandon.

Mr Mishra alleged that the Minister, besides drawing salary from the said college, was also enjoying facilities of car, mobile phone, a basic phone at his Patna residence, a laptop, air conditioner and a photostat machine, all provided by the college management.

He said that nine permanent and five temporary staff of the college were serving the Minister and his father and former Bihar Chief Minister Jagannath Mishra at their Patna residence.

The Congress leader alleged that the Minister also purchased a computer from the college fund.

Dr Jagannath Mishra is the chairman of the college.

When contacted, the Minister brushed aside all allegations levelled by the Congress leader stating that it was simply a manifestation of political rivalry.

He said he had to be considered as on 'extra ordinary leave' under section 68 of the Bihar University Act, 1976, since he was elected to the Bihar Assembly on November 22 (when the results for the last assembly election was announced).

He said his father was the Chairman of the college and hence some staff of the college might be assigned duties at his (Dr Mishra) Patna residence.

He said he had already surrendeed the mobile set provided by the college.

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