NEW DELHI, 22 December 2004 — Election officials have lodged a complaint against Railways Minister Lalu Yadav, one of India’s most powerful politicians, after he distributed cash before elections in his home state Bihar.
“On the Election Commission’s directive, Bihar’s chief electoral officer has filed a First Information Report” against Lalu over allegations he violated the electoral conduct code, panel spokesman A.N. Jha said yesterday. Such a report is the first step allowing police to investigate a complaint.
Lalu, the de facto leader of India’s poorest and most lawless state, was shown on television giving money to people last Saturday while campaigning for the state elections next February.
The commission has also asked whether Lalu’s regional Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) party, an ally of Congress in the ruling national coalition, should be “derecognized” — stripped of some of its political privileges.
The minister, a wily politician adored by many low-caste voters, said there was no ulterior motive behind the distribution of money and it was for poor people to buy sweets.
“I am used to giving money to poor Dalits (the lowest caste) not only during election time but to receive blessings from aged Dalit women,” he was quoted as saying by The Indian Express. “Thank God, I’ve been shown giving money by the electronic media and not taking money. Having been in politics a long time, I know what can land me in trouble,” Lalu said.
In New Delhi opposition members of Parliament demanded Lalu be sacked from the Cabinet.
“It is accepted by all that 100 rupee ($2.2) notes were being distributed. No one can dispute that,” former premier and Hindu nationalist leader Atal Behari Vajpayee said.
“If ministers are guilty of breaking the law, it is the moral duty of the prime minister to dismiss him.”
Proceedings in both the houses of Parliament were disrupted .
In the Lok Sabha, the lower house of Parliament, Vajpayee led the attack on Lalu demanding his dismissal from the Cabinet.
Dismissing the demand, the government said that as the Election Commission had not found any evidence against him so far, there was no reason for Lalu to resign.
“The matter is within the purview of the Election Commission, which is the constitutional authority,” said Defense Minister Pranab Mukherjee. “The government will take action only when the EC find somebody guilty,” Mukherjee said.
He said the matter was being considered by the Election Commission and Parliament should not interfere. This failed to pacify the opposition, who staged a walkout.
Earlier yesterday Lalu, accused by opponents of running Bihar like a personal fiefdom, postponed a farmers rally set for tomorrow but said he would travel across the state to meet people before the elections.
Lalu got into trouble when TV reporters filmed him doling out 100 rupee notes to a crowd in Bihar. Microphones caught him saying, “You buy sweets with this,” as he dished out money from a bundle on his lap.
Lalu’s RJD party has ruled Bihar since 1991. His wife Rabri Devi was installed as chief minister after he was forced to quit following a corruption case in 1996. She still holds the post.
