Mumbai, June 2: Amid ongoing political tensions over government housing in Bihar, Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey has stated that former Chief Minister Rabri Devi and former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar should vacate their government residences in accordance with eligibility rules. He emphasized that government bungalows are maintained with public funds, and thus, individuals should adhere to regulations after leaving office.
Dubey’s remarks came in response to statements made by Tej Pratap Yadav, founder of the RJD, regarding Nitish Kumar’s government bungalow located at 10 Circular Road in Patna. He noted that the issue of who should vacate their residence first should not be a point of contention. Since neither Nitish Kumar nor Rabri Devi currently holds the chief ministerial position, both should vacate their residences based on their eligibility.
He acknowledged that it is natural for Tej Pratap Yadav to support his mother, but for the sake of democracy and administrative integrity, both leaders should relinquish their government bungalows.
In addition, Dubey criticized the BJP regarding alleged attacks on Trinamool Congress MPs Kalyan Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee. He stated that such attacks are not just on individuals but an assault on democracy itself. Former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has the constitutional right to protest democratically, whether through sit-ins, hunger strikes, or marches.
Dubey urged the BJP to engage in self-reflection. He pointed out that the BJP came to power promising change, but if violence and political attacks continue, the public will question their governance. He reminded that while people may recall events from the Trinamool Congress’s 15 years in power, they will also remember the recent violence during the BJP’s rule. He called on all political parties to maintain peace, warning that continued attacks on elected representatives could erode public trust in democracy.
Regarding the Maharashtra Legislative Council (MLC) elections, Shiv Sena (UBT) launched a sharp critique of the Mahayuti alliance. Dubey claimed that serious internal contradictions and conflicts exist within the alliance. He accused the BJP and the Shiv Sena, led by Eknath Shinde, of attempting to politically undermine each other, suggesting that their unity is merely superficial. In contrast, he stated that his party has fielded educated candidates, such as doctors and engineers, and expects to perform well in the elections.
He explained that MLC elections are determined not by direct public vote but by elected representatives from local bodies. Therefore, although the Mahayuti may appear strong on paper, the Maha Vikas Aghadi is in a more favorable position in terms of public support and political climate. He expressed confidence that the election results would align with their expectations.
On the topic of seat distribution, Dubey mentioned that his party is preparing to contest five or six seats, with a final decision to be made soon. He noted that within the Maha Vikas Aghadi, the Congress has sought a larger share of Rajya Sabha and MLC seats, to which the allied parties have agreed to prioritize Congress. He confirmed that discussions within the alliance are ongoing, and a consensus on all seats will be reached shortly.
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