Tejashwi Yadav appears before the Enforcement Directorate for questioning in alleged land-for-jobs scam; Congress alleges BJP's misuse of ED, CBI to disturb Opposition

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav appeared before the Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday, for questioning in connection with the money laundering probe in the alleged land-for-jobs scam. This comes a day after his father and the RJD Supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav was questioned by the central agency for over 9 hours, and at a time when Rahul Gandi’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra is covering its Bihar leg. “BJP is trying to disturb the stability of Opposition governments,” said Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge.

The former Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar reached the Enforcement Directorate’s office in Patna at 11:25 am on Tuesday. As per reports, Tejashwi Yadav has been presented with a set of 60 questions. Tejashwi Yadav was called for questioning; mere days after Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar deserted the INDIA bloc, and forged an alliance with the NDA.

RJD supporters hit the streets protesting and shouting slogans against the Enforcement Directorate and the BJP. A group of RJD supporters, leaders, and legislators are currently stationed outside the ED office in support of their leader. “It’s not the ED office, it is the BJP office where Tejashwi Yadav has come. When elections come, Opposition party leaders are summoned here,” said Manoj Jha, RJD Rajya Sabha member.

“These ED summons can’t scare people. BJP is scared and thus they have taken Nitish Kumar in their folds. Doesn’t matter how long you keep Lalu Yadav inside the ED office, this fight won’t stop anymore. They are going after Jharkhand CM ahead of the yatra that is about to enter the state. This ‘tanasahi’(dictatorship) won’t scare us anymore,” said Bhupesh Bhagel, former Congress Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh.

While addressing a public gathering, as a part of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Purnia, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party, alleging that the party is using central agencies such as the ED and CBI to harass the Opposition parties. “Lalu Yadav and their family are being disturbed in Bihar. The Jharkhand Chief Minister is being disturbed by the center. They are trying to disturb the stability of Opposition governments,” asserted Kharge.

Hindustani Awam Morcha leader and NDA ally Jitan Ram Manjhi, was quick to take a jibe at the Lalu Prasad Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav over the Enforcement Directorate’s questioning. “What you sow, you reap. If you’ve amassed wealth illegally you have to go to jail in PM Modi’s era,” said Jha.​