To BJP’s embarrassment, another NDA ally Jitan Manjhi demands probe into Pegasus row

Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 3

In embarrassment for the ruling BJP, after Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, another NDA ally from Bihar, Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) chief Jitan Ram Manjhi has now demanded a probe into the Pegasus snooping row. 

Manjhi backed the Opposition’s demand for a probe into alleged snooping on journalists, activists and politicians using military-grade spyware, saying it was “affecting the functioning of Parliament”.

“If the Opposition is continually disrupting the functioning of Parliament by demanding an inquiry, then it is a serious matter. I think keeping in mind the current circumstances, the Pegasus espionage case should be investigated so that the country can know who is spying on whom,” the former Bihar CM said, taking to the social media.

The BJP-led Centre has refuted all allegations.

Manjhi’s party shares power with the BJP in the coalition government headed by Nitish Kumar in Bihar. His statement came a day after Nitish Kumar, in a surprise move on Monday, supported inquiry into the Pegasus row.

Nitish Kumar backed the demand for a probe into the controversy, saying “there is nothing wrong in conducting an inquiry into the allegations”.

The statement, when read with tribulations between the BJP and Nitish Kumar’s party, the JD(U), in the years following the 2014 general election, coincides with the growing unity of Opposition against PM Modi/BJP on various issues.

Several parties are also trying for an acceptable face to take on Modi in the 2024 general election.