The Congress on Tuesday slammed JD(U) MP Devesh Chandra Thakur over his "won't help Muslims, Yadavs" remark and called it the first attack on the Constitution. This comes after Thakur stirred up a political row with his remarks on the Yadav and Muslim communities in his constituency — Sitamarhi.
Thakur, who recently won the Sitamarhi Lok Sabha seat, said he was disappointed over the fact that he didn't receive votes from Muslims and Yadavs, groups that are traditionally aligned with Lalu Prasad Yadav's RJD, and that he would not help them. "I have made it clear that Yadavs and Muslims must not expect me to be of any help to them," Thakur stated, recounting a conversation with a Muslim visitor who, he claimed, regretted not supporting him due to his party's BJP affiliation.
JD (U), led by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, is a part of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led NDA. Speaking to reporters, Congress leader Pawan Khera said that the opposition used to say that they (the BJP) would change the Constitution if they got 400 seats, but now they have started it with just 240 seats.
"Muslims, Yadavs didn’t vote for me, won’t help them" remark, Congress leader says, "This is the first attack on the Constitution. We used to say that they would change the Constitution if they got 400 seats, now they have started it after getting just 240, is this constitutional?," JD(U) MP Thakur said.
The remarks from the JD(U) leader also drew sharp reaction from political quarters, including the RJD. RJD's Bhai Virendra said Thakur's remarks were objectionable. "When you win an election, you represent every individual in your constituency irrespective of his or her community. If you hold up a file because of communal reasons, the matter will be taken to court," he said.