JD(U) demands probe into 'misuse' of IAF chopper by Lalu

Patna, Aug 4 (UNI) The Janata Dal(U) today demanded that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh order a high-level probe into the alleged misuse of Indian Air Force Chopper by RJD supremo and Railway Minister Lalu Prasad.

National spokesman of JD(U) Shivanand Tiwari said here that the action of Mr Prasad was totally ''unwarranted'' and also against the federal spirit of the Constitution.

''How a Union Minister can try to steer resentment of flood victims against a democratically elected state government,'' he questioned.

Terming the pretext inspection of railway-tracks in the flood-affected areas for hiring the chopper ''fraud'', Mr Tiwari said not a single technical officer of the Railways was present in the chopper.

''How Mr Prasad could inspect the railway tracks without assistance of any technical officer,'' he pointed out.

He alleged that RJD president had misused the IAF chopper to get political mileage from the current flood situation in the state and his visit had nothing to do with inspection of tracks.

''The RJD supremo further tried to mislead the people on the issue of emergency landing of IAF chopper on national highway by claiming that the pilot was forced to land the helicopter as he had lost the direction in north Bihar,'' Mr Tiwary said adding the pilot had informed the Defence Ministry that decision to land the chopper on the NH was taken on the directive of Mr Prasad.

UNI