PM Narendra Modi is in crisis, says Shyam Rajak on Bihar gift row

Patna, March 20: Shyam Rajak, Bihar's Food Minister and JD(U) member on Sunday, March 20 took a jibe at BJP's Sushil Kumar Modi and others for returning the gift to the state that was earlier given to MLAs during the budget session.

The state giving the gifts to the MLAs had earlier snowballed into a major controversy, with the issue attracting media attention. The state government came under severe criticism from media and general public for misuse of public money earmarked for the development of the state.

This, however has now forced the MLAs to return the gift to the state. In a fresh development BJP MLA Sushil Kumar Modi and other MLAs were seen returning the gifts.

Amidst this development, Rajak told OneIndia that gifting during budget session is a popular culture in Bihar.

Taking a strong jibe at Sushil Modi, Rajak said that after BJP's debacle in Bihar, Sushil is feeling demoralised and now is trying to become 'Chapasi Baba' (person craving for publicity through media). Since he is not being recognised by his own party members, Sushil Modi is resorting to these tactics to grab attention of the media.[Gifts worth Rs 30 lakh for Lawmakers for attending Budget session in Bihar]

"During BJP-JD(U) regime Modi should not have accepted gifts himself. Gifts were given during that era also. So why did Modi collect the gifts then? Rajak asked. Now, they (BJP) have started behaving like activists to portray clean image in front of public thus, maligning the ruling government.

Rajak also said, "Sushil is jealous of our government JD(U) and this is just traditional precedence that we are following."

The money went into buying gifts was not from the public , Rajak said on being asked whether public money is involved in this.

Speaking on outlay for education in the budget, Rajak said, "25% of budget money are utilised for education and this itself is history."

Attacking the BJP, he said "I feel pity for BJP as Narendra Modi himself is in crisis. We can not term this tradition as wrong as this is a matter of few lakhs."

As long as this practice does not affect budget, there is nothing wrong in accepting the gifts, he concluded.

OneIndia News