Tejashwi presents defense vetted by lawyers to Nitish

Three days ago, Tejashwi skipped an official function with Nitish Kumar in Patna.

Patna, July 18: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar met Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav, who has been charged with corruption by the CBI in his chamber. This is the first time that the two leaders have met alone since the corruption scandal erupted two weeks ago.

During the 45-minutes meeting Tejashwi Yadav presented him with a detailed defense of the charges against him - his explanation had been vetted by lawyers and senior leaders of his party including his father Lalu Yadav.

According to the sources Nitish Kumar will be forced to take a tough decision if Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) fails to ensure Tejashwi Yadav's resignation in the meeting today.

The rift in the Bihar ruling grand alliance deepened when Lalu apparently rejected Nitish's demand, and said, "Tejashwi Yadav will not step down under any circumstances."

Three days ago, Tejashwi skipped an official function with Nitish Kumar in Patna.

This would be the second cabinet meeting after the crisis in the ruling Grand Alliance surfaced after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered a case against Tejashwi Yadav on charges of corruption.

Sources in the ruling alliance on Tuesday said that leaders from the Janata Dal-United (JD-U), the RJD and Congress were in constant touch and trying to save the alliance.

Bihar has been in the grip of a political crisis after the JD-U asked Tejashwi Yadav to rebut in detail the charges hurled at him.

IANS