Lalu Yadav contacts NDA’s newly elected MLAs in Bihar, probe initiated for ‘poaching’

A day after former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi on Tuesday (November 24) claimed that RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav was trying to ‘buy’ NDA MLAs in order to form RJD-led Mahagathbandhan government in the state, Hindustan Awam Morcha chief also said that his MLAs have been receiving calls from Lalu Yadav despite him being in Jail.

Following this development, Sushil Kumar Modi also released an audio clip of how Lalu was luring NDA MLAs into joining the Mahagatbandhan and topple the newly elected government.

The BJP MLA during the day confirmed the veracity of the audio clip and said the conversation took place in the very presence of Sushil Modi, apparently not in knowledge of the wily RJD supremo. The RJD supremo is in jail in Ranchi since December 2017 after conviction in cases of multi-crore rupees fodder scam.

Inspector General, Prisons, Virendra Bhusan told PTI- Bhasha that he has asked Ranchi Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police and Superintendent of Birsa Munda jail to inquire into the matter and if the allegations are found true initiate lawful action.

The jail IG said he ordered an inquiry after himself hearing the purported audio clip of the conversation between Lalu Prasad and the legislator. Mr Bhusan said the jail manuals does not allow use of phone or mobile during judicial custody and if the allegations were found correct it would be enquired as from where the mobile phone came to Lalu Prasad and who is responsible for it.

He also said any political talks are prohibited when a person is in judicial custody. The jail IG said Lalu Prasad is in RIM’s Director’s bungalow with the permission of the district administration.