JD(U) suspends two legislators over controversial statements

Cracking the whip on its errant legislators, the ruling JD(U) today suspended Narendra Kumar Neeraj alias Gopal Mandal and Rana Gangeshwar Singh with immediate effect for making controversial statements and served show cause notices to them.

Mandal, a fifth-term MLA from Gopalpur assembly seat in Bhagalpur district, has invited the JD(U) leadership’s wrath for controversial remarks on Sunday that he will carry out ‘politics of murder’ himself and by his supporters.

Singh, a nominated MLC, had at a function in Samastipur today allegedly showed disrespect to national anthem saying that it praises those who ruled over the country.

Taking serious note of the controversial statements made by the two lawmakers, the JD(U) state unit president Bashistha Narayan Singh said, “the party has suspended both legislators with immediate effect, besides issuing show cause notices to them asking them to explain their remarks.”

The decision was taken by the core committee of the JD(U) comprising Narayan and chief minister Nitish Kumar among others, Bashistha said, adding that the party’s national president Sharad Yadav too has been consulted on the issue.

“The statements made by the two legislators are against the ideology of the party which believes in non-violence and Gandhian philosophy but our party MLA is talking about politics of violence and murder. Similarly, Rana Gangeshwar has created flutters by questioning the justification of national anthem. This is not good at all and hence party has decided to to suspend them for their actions,” the state JD(U) chief said.

Senior BJP leader Nand Kishore Yadav earlier questioned the chief minister Nitish Kumar’s silence over the issue and asked “Is it a ‘Sushashan’ when a ruling party MLA openly says that he will commit murder?

It may be noted that this is the second time, ever since the Grand Secular Alliance government was formed in the state, that the JD(U) has suspended its legislators for making controversial statements.

Earlier in January, the party suspended its MLA Sarfaraz Alam, who has been booked for allegedly abusing a couple inside Rajdhani Express, saying his conduct was “improper”.

Mandal, a JDU(U) MLA from Gopalpur assembly seat, had said,”I would carry out politics of murder in the state and will get it done by others...There is no doubt in it,” Mandal said while participating in a Holi Milan function at Naugachhia in Bhagalpur district on Sunday night.

Mandal, who expressed no ‘regret’ for his comment, said that “I am being harassed by them (BJP) and so are my supporters... If an incident (murder of my supporter) takes place, the process of retaliation would start.”

Gangeshwar said, “The national anthem praises slavery  to those who ruled over us and hence it should be reviewed and withdrawn. Why should we use the salutation ‘Jai’ for those who ruled over the country,” Gangeshwar said.

The remarks of Mandal, who is known for his controversial statments, have not gone down well with Opposition and ruling JD(U).

Earlier on March 1, Mandal had said that he will “chop off the tongue” of people trying to threaten his supporters which triggered strong reactions from the Opposition parties.

Mandal had threatened a Deputy Superintendent of Police level officer to throw him in the Ganges from Naugachia road bridge for stopping his car, which had jumped queue during a traffic snarl in December last.