"Tejashwi Yadav wants to change Bihar when he's facing charges of 420": Ravi Shankar Prasad

New Delhi [India], October 13 (ANI): BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad on Monday slammed RJD supremo and former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi, and his son Tejashwi Yadav following charges framed against them in the IRCTC hotel corruption case. Prasad questioned the basis on which Yadav is luring every family in Bihar, promising them a job.
Tejashwi Yadav had earlier announced that within 20 days of the formation of the Mahagathbandhan government, it would enact a law ensuring a government job for every household in Bihar.
Addressing a press conference, MP Prasad said, "Today, the court has framed charges against Lalu Prasad Yadav, his son Tejashwi Yadav, and his wife Rabri Devi. Tejashwi Yadav wants to change Bihar when he is facing charges of 420, framed against him by the court. What Bihar are you going to build when this is your image, and this is what the court has found against you?"
"There were 2 hotels under the Railway during the British period. One hotel, the BNR Hotel, was located in Ranchi, Jharkhand. And the second was in Puri. The railway wanted to lease the maintenance of these hotels to someone else. Sujata Hotels of Patna were made eligible for that application. Only one tender was found to be correct; the others were rejected...The owners of the hotel, the Kochhar brothers, had a 3-acre plot in Patna, which cost Rs. 93 crores. It was sold to a company operated by Prem Gupta's wife. It was then sold to the Yadav family at a lower price," he alleged.
He further cautioned people of Bihar that if they voted for the Mahagathbandhan, they would not get jobs, and in addition to that, their land would be snatched from them.
"From 1993 to 2007, Tejashwi Yadav owned 9 agricultural and 2 non-agricultural lands, 1 commercial plot in Patna and 1 in Bhopal...Rabri Devi owns 3 agricultural and 4 non-agricultural lands, 1 commercial and 5 residential plots in Patna...What is her source of income?... On what basis is every family in Bihar being lured with the promise of a job?... Their record is earning profit by selling the railway's property," he further said.
Earlier, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Monday reacted to the charges framed against himself, Lalu Prasad Yadav, and his mother Rabri Devi by Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court, saying that they would continue fighting the case.
Speaking to reporters here, Yadav called it a 'political vendetta', further stating that Lalu Prasad Yadav had been known as a historic Railways minister and that the people of Bihar and the country are aware of the truth.
"... We will fight this case. We have been saying this from the beginning that since the elections are coming, all this will happen. We respect the verdict of the court. We will fight the case... The people of Bihar are smart, and they know what is happening. All this is a political vendetta," he said.
"The person who gave Rs 90,000 crore in profit to the Railways, who always reduced fares in every budget. He has been known as a historic Railway Minister. Students from Harvard and IIM came to study from Lalu ji. He has been known as the Management Guru. The people of Bihar and the country know the truth. I will keep fighting with the BJP as long as I am alive..." Yadav told reporters here.
Earlier, the Rouse Avenue Court framed charges against former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, Tejashwi Yadav and others in criminal Conspiracy and sections related to other offences in the IRCTC hotel corruption case.
This case pertains to alleged corruption in the tender of two IRCTC hotels in Ranchi and Puri during the tenure of Lalu Prasad Yadav as Railway Minister.
Special judge (CBI) framed charges against Former Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, Tejashwi Yadav and other Accused persons. They appeared physically before the court.
The court has framed charges under different sections for cheating, conspiracy and offences related to corruption. However, all the accused are charged with criminal conspiracy.
The order was pronounced in open court, and the court will upload a detailed order. The court said that there is sufficient ground to frame charges against all 14 accused persons.
Lalu Prasad Yadav has pleaded not guilty and stated that he will face the trial. (ANI)