Bihar News : JDU MLC and the party’s chief state spokesperson Neeraj Kumar, along with state spokesperson Pooja Patrick, launched a sharp attack on RJD supremo Lalu Prasad over the Farakka water treaty. At a joint press conference held at the party office, the two leaders alleged that Lalu Prasad sacrificed Bihar’s interests over the treaty due to fear of going to jail.
JDU Raises Questions Over Lalu Prasad’s Role
Neeraj Kumar said the treaty was signed on December 12, 1996, when Lalu Prasad was serving as the Chief Minister of Bihar and was also playing an influential role in the United Front government at the Centre.
He said Lalu Prasad also shared good relations with the then External Affairs Minister I.K. Gujral. Despite this, Kumar alleged, Lalu Prasad did not raise any objection against the water treaty between India and Bangladesh.
JDU Contrasts Lalu Prasad With Nitish Kumar
The JDU leader said Nitish Kumar had consistently opposed the treaty and strongly raised concerns over siltation in the Ganga River.
He added that Nitish Kumar had regularly highlighted issues related to water management and had clearly stated that the Farakka Barrage should be reconsidered.
According to Kumar, this showed that while Lalu Prasad was in power, he allowed Bihar’s interests to be compromised. He alleged that Lalu Prasad began opposing the treaty only after being out of power.
JDU Calls It Political Opportunism
Questioning Lalu Prasad’s stand, Kumar asked what kind of political opportunism this was. He said Bihar’s Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Choudhary have now met the Union Finance Minister and the External Affairs Minister to convey Bihar’s concerns.
They have demanded that Bihar’s interests be given priority and that the state be included in the decision-making process, Kumar said.
