Security and National Integrity Must Be Governments Top Priority, Says Shakti Singh Yadav

Patna, November 12 (Daily Kiran) : Shakti Singh Yadav, the chief spokesperson for the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), responded to several key issues, including a statement from Sam Pitroda, president of the Indian Overseas Congress, during a recent press conference in Patna.

Yadav addressed the recent terrorist attack on CRPF personnel in Kulgam, criticizing the government’s previous claims that no attacks had occurred. “The government must prioritize national borders and internal security,” he stated, highlighting ongoing concerns regarding China’s incursions into Indian territory. He questioned why intelligence had failed to detect the increased activity of terrorists prior to the attack and called for the government to provide answers.

He accused the government of engaging in divisive politics based on caste and religion while neglecting critical security issues. Referring to Sonia Gandhi’s recent book, which mentions Bihar’s Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his policies, Yadav remarked that Gandhi candidly discusses various political events, including Rajiv Gandhi’s dissent during the Emergency and Pranab Mukherjee’s ambitions for the prime ministership.

On Nitish Kumar’s political standing, Yadav described it as a weak link. He reiterated RJD leader Lalu Prasad’s assertion that the India alliance cannot be envisioned without Congress. He also criticized statements made by JD(U) leader Sanjay Jha regarding Congress, suggesting they reflect tensions between JD(U) and the BJP.

In response to allegations from Congress leader Shakeel Ahmad Khan about corruption surrounding Kumar, Yadav leveled serious accusations of corruption against Kumar, citing issues from his tenure, including the Srijan scam and irregularities related to sanitation projects. He claimed that the investigations into these corruption cases were inching closer to Kumar, leading to his political isolation.

Yadav noted that JD(U) is no longer the united party it once was, with leaders like Lalan Singh and Sanjay Jha pursuing different paths while Shrawan Kumar attempts to mediate. He criticized the state’s decline, attributing economic assistance to Lalu Prasad and Manmohan Singh’s government while claiming that Bihar’s fortunes changed after 2004, but stagnated post-2014.

Regarding the Congress’s appointment of Dr. Angomcha Bimol Akoijam for the Manipur assembly elections, Yadav defended the party against BJP’s criticisms, referencing the ongoing turmoil in the state under BJP governance. He stressed the importance of assessing any manifesto for its public interest.

Yadav also condemned TMC MP Kirti Azad’s comments on Lord Ram, accusing the BJP of creating division even in religious contexts and raising questions about the funding for the Ram temple.

On the topic of Sonia Gandhi’s reluctance to accept the prime ministership, Yadav claimed Rahul Gandhi shared similar sentiments, while Lalu Prasad had supported Sonia’s candidacy. He recalled how Lalu publicly backed Sonia during controversies surrounding her foreign origins.

Finally, Yadav commented on Sam Pitroda’s fluctuating statements, suggesting that they lack a coherent connection to national or political interests. He expressed skepticism about Pitroda’s motivations, indicating inconsistency in his remarks regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress.