Union Minister and LJP president Ram Vilas Paswan today rubbished Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's statement that rule of law prevailed in Bihar saying there is a "collusion between VIP law-breakers and the state government".
The Opposition has been attacking the state government over recent murder of a youth in Gaya, allegedly by the son of now suspended JD(U) MLC Manorama Devi, and killing of journalist Rajdeo Ranjan in Siwan.
Paswan demanded imposition of President's rule in Bihar.
In the context of surrender of Manorama Devi this morning, Paswan was asked as to why VIPs breaking laws were not arrested and they chose to surrender, he said, "It is due to a collusion between the state government and them (the VIP law-breakers)."
Dismissing Nitish Kumar's defence on law and order situation Paswan asked, "Will a CBI inquiry recommendation bring back journalist Rajdeo Ranjan?"
Flanked by BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi, Paswan said, "Not only Siwan strongman Mohammad Shahbuddin, profile of every criminal has increased under the present government."
"Earlier telephone calls to shield a criminal used to come from one place, but it is now made from two places," the Minister said in an apparent dig at former political rivals Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad.
Earlier LJP's Parliamentary Board chief Chirag Paswan had met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and made a demand for imposing Central rule in the state.
Asked why ally BJP is not pressing for imposition of President's rule in Bihar though his party has been, Paswan said, "I am supremo of my party and talk about its view. Other parties have their own views."
Paswan said Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is touring different state in pursuit of his prime ministerial ambitions but the governance in Bihar has been a "casualty".
