Jailed Bihar JD-U MLA enjoys status of minister

Patna, Aug 18: A Bihar legislator sentenced to life imprisonment for killing a minister enjoys the status of a minister.

Vijay Kumar Shukla alias Munna Shukla, Janata Dal (United) legislator from Lalganj in Vaishali district, was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2009 for killing former Bihar minister Brij Bihari Prasad in Jun 13, 1998. But he is enjoying the status of a minister as the chairman of the Bihar Vidhansabha Awas Samiti.

Munna Shukla's chamber in the high security Bihar assembly premises had been closed for months as he was behind bars. Officials in the state assembly told the media that he was still enjoying the status of a minister.

"Munna Shukla may be in jail after being sentenced to life imprisonment but was not removed from the post that accorded him the status of a minister," said an official.

Opposition parties in Bihar slammed Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for supporting the JD-U legislator. They told that CM was jointing hands with criminal-turned politicians.

"Munna Shukla is holding the post with the backing of CM Nitish Kumar, who is promoting and encouraging musclemen to join him ahead of the coming state assembly in 2010 Oct and Nov," said Gopal Prasad Sharma, Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) youth leader.

OneIndia News