New Delhi: The first controversy that has emerged in Bihar after Nitish Kumar formed his new cabinet is related to the new education minister Mewalal Choudhury.  State's main opposition party, Rashtriya Janata Dal, has questioned the ruling BJP-JDU combine over the decision to elevate the tainted leader while ignoring legislators from minority communities.

Though Choudhury has dismissed all allegations against him related to corruption as baseless, the new education minister is being mocked online after an old video of him singing Jana Gana Mana at what appears to be a school event was shared by Rashtriya Janata Dal.

In the video, Choudhary, a Janata Dal United (JDU) MLA, can be seen singing the National Anthem, however, he forgets some words in between. "Bihar Education Minister Mevalal Chaudhary, accused of several corruption cases, does not even know the National Anthem. Do you have any shame left, Nitish Kumar ji? Where have you sunk your conscience?" the RJD captioned the video.

He is heard singing "Punjab Vasant Gujarat Maratha" instead of "Punjab Sindh Gujarat Maratha". Watch the video here:


After the video was shared online people started slamming the education minister and targetted the Nitish government for taking such decision:






Bihar's education minister is facing corruption charges

Bihar minister Mewalal Chaudhary is facing corruption charges dating back to when he was the vice-chancellor of Bhagalpur's Sabaur Agriculture University in 2017. An FIR was also registered against him, alleging that Chaudhary was part of an appointment scam which led to illegal recruitment of 161 assistant professors and junior scientists in violation of the norms.

Mewalal Chaudhary is also facing corruption charges over the construction of a building on the Sabaur Agriculture University campus.

President of India Ram Nath Kovind, during his tenure as the Governor of Bihar, had initiated a probe against Mewalal Chaudhary in 2017. Charges of corruption levelled against Chaudhary were later found to be true.

Bihar Education Minister Mewalal Choudhary continues to refute all the allegations against him.

RJD chief Lalu Yadav also takes a dig at Mewalal Choudhury

RJD chief Lalu Yadav, who is in jail in a corruption scam, also targeted the BJP and the JDU over the appointment saying those who were searching for Mewalal Choudhary earlier are now silent. "In contrast to Tejashwi Yadav's 10 lakh jobs priority, Bihar now has Nitish Kumar whose priority reflects in the appointment of Mewalal Choudhary," he tweeted.