JDU finally breaks silence on CBI raids, defends Lalu Prasad Yadav and family

Senior JDU leader Sharad Yadav. PIC/ANI.

New Delhi: The Lalu-Nitish alliance appeared to be firm and intact in Bihar, as senior JDU leader Sharad Yadav defended Lalu and his family over recent raids carried out by CBI at 12 locations. Speaking to news agency ANI, Yadav said “the raids are an attempt to stall the progress of Mahagathbandhan alliance. RJD and JDU are in alliance in Bihar.” Speculations of rift in the alliance rose over conspicuous silence by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and its leaders on massive raids against Lalu in four cities last week. Reports also emerged today of Bihar CM Nitish Kumar speaking to Lalu over the telephone on Sunday. The chief minister arrived in Patna from Rajgir on Sunday after a three-day "personal visit" and went straight inside 1 Aney Marg, refusing to even look at journalists. Soon after, a government communiqué announced the cancellation of his Lok Samvad tomorrow on health grounds. In political circles, however, it was interpreted as avoiding the usual reporters' questions on the sidelines of the event. Livid RJD leaders had been dubbing Nitish as Mauni Baba (silent monk). Lalu reportedly got calls of support from Sonia Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, Sharad Pawar and others before Nitish. Lalu's younger son Tejaswi Yadav, who is named in the FIR, will not resign, state finance minister and RJD leader Abdul Bari Siddiqui said after today’s meeting with party MLAs.