BJP makes capital out of video clip, says CM is resorting to occult to get rid of partner Lalu .
Patna : Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday courted controversy as a video of his meeting a ‘tantrik’ went viral, providing fresh ammunition to his rivals who took a dig at him claiming the JD(U) leader was resorting to occult to get rid of foe-turned-friend Lalu Yadav. To placate the Yadav voters, the BJP released a video clip of a meeting between chief minister Nitish Kumar and a tantrik of Aughar sect – Jhapaki Baba – in which the Baba is heard telling Nitish to keep himself away from RJD president Lalu Prasad.
Nitish had met Jhapaki Baba of Siwan at the residence of JDU legislator and party spokesman Neeraj Kumar. Neeraj is Grand Alliance nominee from Mokamah, 60 kms from Patna who is contesting against the jailed muscleman Anant Singh. The video whose sound is blurred shows Nitish Kumar sitting on a charpoy with the tantrik (faith healer) in presence of Neeraj Kumar, JD(U) candidate from Mokama. Though most of the conversation between Kumar and the tantrik is not audible, at some place the tantrik is heard asking Nitish Kumar why did he join hands with RJD supremo Lalu Prasad and the tantrik uttering “Nitish Zindabad and Lalu Murdabad.” The tantrik is seen blessing Kumar and hugging him.When Baba shouted Lalu Murdabad, Nitish is seen smiling.
After seeing the video clip, Pawan Verma, JDU MP, said it was an old one when alliance with Lalu had not taken shape. Everyone, including top BJP leaders go to Babas. Narendra Modi had also met the jailed Asharam Bapu, he said. Giriraj Singh, who released the video said: “yes, we also go to Babas, but not to conspire against our colleagues which Nitish did. Union Finance minister Arun Jaitely who is in Patna for an election campaign said when Nitish has failed in winning the confidence of the voters, he has started visiting tantriks to seek their blessings and conspire against Lalu Prasad. BJP insiders here feel with the release of the video, the true nature of Nitish agaisnt Lalu has been exposed and Yadav electorate would take note of the strong anti-Lalu sentiments of Nitish.
When a question was asked to RJD President Lalu Prasad about Kumar meeting the tantrik who said “Lalu murdabad”, Prasad said he was not aware of the video. He, however, quipped, “I am a bigger tantrik than these tantriks.” Senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi said since voters have rejected Nitish Kumar and his grand secular alliance in the first two rounds of voting, Kumar is now making rounds of tantriks and faith healers to invoke divine blessings in the elections. Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) chief Jitan Ram Manjhi also attacked Kumar saying “he claims to be a socialist leader but promoting orthodox believes by visiting tantriks”
