Koda-led UPA govt plotting to make Lalu wriggle out of fodder scam

Ranchi, Jan 22 (UNI) Levelling a major allegation, the BJP today alleged that the UPA-backed Madhu Koda government in Jharkhand was conspiring to help Railway Minister Lalu Prasad wriggle out of the multi-crore rupee fodder scam.

State party president Yadunath Pandey told reporters here that about six cases related to the scam were being heard in Jharkhand.

The state government earlier this month appointed Ms Rajbala Verma as Animal Husbandry Secreatry, who was recently highly prasied by the Union Minister publicly here and also known for her proximity to the RJD supremo.

Mr Pandey apprehended that Ms Verma could make ''suitable'' changes in the documents demanded by the CBI if required during the hearing of cases.

The BJP leader said earlier also the state government had tried to safefuard Mr Prasad by transferring a CBI SP involved in the inquiry, which was immediately stayed by the High Court.

In the fodder scam about Rs nine crore was withdrawn fraudulently from various treasuries of Bihar for supplying fodder to the department.

Mr Prasad, the then Chief Minister of Bihar, had to resign from his post after the scam was unearthed.

Replying to a separate issue, Mr Pandey said the Delimitation Commission had accepted that there was "lacuna" in population census conducted in 2001, adding population of tribals was decreasing and to protect the tribal interest their reserved seats should not be allowed to reduce as proposed by the Delimitation Commission.

Mr Pandey said the BJP was with the state governmnet on this particular issue to maintain the number of scheduled tribes' Assembly seats of state.

Criticising state Health Minister Hemendra Pratap Dehati for his statement to leave the Ministerial berth for his son and controversial Forward Bloc MLA Bhanu Pratap Shahi, Mr Pandey said these statements were unbecoming of the chair the Minister held.

The BJP leader also demanded CBI inquiry into the death of religious preacher Suresh Thackery whose body was recovered a few days back by the police in the state capital.

UNI