Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary sparks row over crime and apraadh remarks
Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav questioned the Chief Minister's appointment following the controversial statement.
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary sparked a political controversy on Tuesday after stating that while there may be crime in the state, there is no 'apraadh' (offence). Speaking at an event in Delhi organised by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Choudhary said the concept of 'apraadh' has been eliminated and there are no criminals in Bihar.
According to India Today, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and Bihar Assembly Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav criticised the remarks on X. Yadav questioned whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi had taken a 'supaari' (contract) to ruin Bihar through the Chief Minister.
Yadav also referred to a case from the 1990s in Munger, alleging that Choudhary was a sample accused in seven murders. Choudhary, who is also the Home Minister, has maintained that he was falsely implicated in that case.
Union Minister Chirag Paswan, leader of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), declined to join the controversy but backed the Chief Minister's approach. Paswan stated that as both Chief Minister and Home Minister, Choudhary must have facts and figures to support his claim.
The remarks were made during an event involving the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and the Bihar government regarding river water management. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari was also present on the stage during the event.