Is Rabri Devi Holding Bihar's Government Accountable Over Law and Order?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Patna, Feb 13 (NationPress) Legislative sessions are currently in progress in both Houses of the Bihar Legislature, with the Opposition ramping up its criticism of the state government regarding serious law and order concerns, both within the State Assembly and the Legislative Council.
On Friday, outside the Bihar Legislative Council, Opposition leaders, spearheaded by former Chief Minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) figure Rabri Devi, vocally protested against the state's governance, particularly in light of a student's suspicious death in Patna's Phulwari Sharif district.
The demonstrators accused the government of neglecting women's safety across the state.
In a statement to the media, Rabri Devi asserted that the student was allegedly pushed from a rooftop and demanded swift justice for the perpetrators.
She also criticized Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, questioning his previous assertion that the culprits would be apprehended within 24 hours or he would resign.
Rabri Devi remarked, "Samrat Choudhary claims he will resign if the accused are not captured within 24 hours. Where is that resignation? Daily, crimes are escalating—girls are being subject to rape, kidnapping, and murder. Who will intervene?"
In the Assembly, senior RJD leader Abdul Bari Siddiqui condemned the state government, emphasizing the Opposition's role in exposing the government's failures and challenging the distinction between 'Ram Rajya' and 'Jungle Raj'.
Siddiqui pointed out, "Crime rates are surging in Bihar. Criminals are unrestrained. Murders, robberies, dacoities, and thefts are rampant. The Bihar government has utterly failed in maintaining law and order."
In response to these allegations, Bihar minister Ashok Choudhary dismissed Rabri Devi's claims, asserting that her opinions would not shape the future of the state government.
Choudhary accused the previous Lalu Prasad Yadav administration of governance failure, which led to professionals like doctors and engineers leaving the state.
He stated, "Rabri Devi might wish for my and Samrat Choudhary's departure, but nothing will change because of it," reiterating the current government's commitment to safeguarding law and order in Bihar.
As discussions and protests persist, the law and order situation continues to be a significant point of contention in Bihar's political landscape between the ruling coalition and the Opposition.