Lalu trying to buy MLAs from jail, says Sushil Modi ; Jharkhand government orders probe

Ranchi, November 25

Bihar BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi has accused Rashtriya Janata Dal supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav of trying to buy legislators---an allegation that pressured Jharkhand's ruling alliance to order an investigation .

Modi said in a tweet on Tuesday:  "Lalu Yadav making telephone call from Ranchi to NDA MLAs & promising ministerial berths. When I telephoned, Lalu directly picked up. I said don’t do these dirty tricks from jail, you will not succeed".

लालू यादव ने दिखाई अपनी असलियत

लालू प्रसाद यादव द्वारा NDA के विधायक को बिहार विधान सभा अध्यक्ष के लिए होने वाले चुनाव में महागठबंधन के पक्ष में मतदान करने हेतु प्रलोभन देते हुए। pic.twitter.com/LS9968q7pl

— Sushil Kumar Modi (@SushilModi) November 25, 2020

He followed this up with another tweet of an audio tape that a purported conversation between the RJD supremo, who is in Ranchi, and the saffron party MLA.

Modi shared the minute-and-a-half long clip on his official Twitter handle in which a voice that he claims belongs to Prasad can be heard talking to the Pirpainti MLA Lalan Paswan.

The BJP MLA in question later seconded the allegation and claimed that the conversation had taken place in front of Sushil Modi, unbeknownst to the RJD chief. 

The tweets have left the state government's ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha-Rashtriya Janata Dal-Congress alliance red in the face. 

A day after the allegations the state governnent under JMM leader and Chief Minister Hemant Soren ordered an investigation into the incident. 

Inspector General, Prisons, Virendra Bhusan told PTI- Bhasha that he has asked Ranchi Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police and Superintendent of Birsa Munda jail to inquire into the matter and if the allegations are found true initiate lawful action.

The jail IG said he ordered an inquiry after himself hearing the purported audio clip.

Bhusan said the jail manuals does not allow use of phone or mobile during judicial custody and if the allegations were found correct it would be inquired as from where the mobile phone came to Prasad and who is responsible for it.

He also said any political talks are prohibited when a person is in judicial custody.

The jail IG said Prasad is in RIM’s Director’s bungalow with the permission of the district administration.

The Ranchi district administration takes decision about visitors to Prasad and other issues linked to it.

A PIL has already been filed in the Jharkhand High Court seeking a proper examination of Prasad’s ailment and sending him back to the jail. --- Agencies

लालू राजग विधायकों को फोन कर मंत्री पद का लोभ दे रहे, मैंने रिंग बैक कर कहा गंदा खेल बंद करें... pic.twitter.com/h64OSl4Mah

— Sushil Kumar Modi (@SushilModi) November 25, 2020

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