'Muslims don't vote for me either': Giriraj Singh supports JDU MP Devesh Chandra Thakur's statement

Patna: Union Minister Giriraj Singh came in the open support of the recent controversial statement of JDU MP Sitamarhi Devesh Chandra Thakur regarding Muslims-Yadavas, which steered up a hornet's nest in the political corridors.

Singh, a die-hard Hindu face of the BJP, told a section of the media here on Wednesday that Thakur has opened his heart to the issue while sharing his experience and true feelings. Singh said he too was working for every section of society, but the Muslims have not voted for him since 2014.

Thakur has realised the fact too late, Singh said, adding that he has been facing this crude reality for a long time.

It seems such venomous feelings were being nurtured and spread through mosques and madrasas with an intention to distort and divide society, Singh said, alleging that they intend to transform the nation into a gajwa-e-hindu.

Singh stated in Begusarai why he should get the personal work done by the Muslims who do not vote for the NDA and BJP. He had said that Devesh Chandra Thakur was exasperated with the intentions of the Muslims who did not vote for him and for the NDA as a whole even after getting their personal work done with his help, claimed Giriraj Singh. The BJP leader said that the Hindus were tolerant and never pelted stones on Tajiya, but it was high time that "they" (Muslims) pelted stones and used swords on the occasion of Ram Navami and Hanuman Jayanti.

Reacting to the statement of JDU MP Devesh Chandra Thakur, former minister and BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain claimed him as a soldier of Prime Minister Narendra Modi who was working for the progress of every section of society. He further said that the BJP was working for even those who did not express confidence in the party during elections. The BJP leader said that his party works for everyone and would continue to do so.

As it is, Thakur, apparently fed up with not getting expected support from Muslims and Yadavas in the recently held Lok Sabha elections, stated that he would not do any work for Muslims and Yadavas who did not support him at all. Remaining firm on his stand, Thakur further said that if any person from Muslim and Yadav approaches him for some work, he will offer him good hospitality but would not do his work. It was painful that Muslims and Yadav did not extend support to him in the recent elections in Sitamarhi, he felt.

Meanwhile, former MP from Sitamarhi Arjun Rai dubbed the statement of Thakur "iindignified" saying that the people of Sitamarhi, by electing Thakur as their representative, were actually nurturing the snake that has started showing its true form.

He said Sitamarhi and the entire land of Mother Sita were put to shone in the country.

He further alleged that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, snatching away the share of the backwards, fielded a "Manuvadi" in the election.

RJD leader Rohini Acharya, daughter of party supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav, alleged that such people have no right to be the representatives of people. She said the voters were free to vote for anyone and challenged Thakur to establish himself as a representative of a particular caste.

Demanding cancellation of the membership of Thakur, RJD state spokeswoman Ejaz Ahmed said that such a statement of Thakur would never be tolerated.

RJD MP Manoj Jha alleged that the dignity of democracy got shattered with the statement of Thakur.

Meanwhile, JD(U) MLC and spokesman of the party Neeraj Kumar stated that Thakur had great respect for all communities in society. Thakur might have expressed his pain but would definitely work for minorities and others as and when needed, he stressed.

Bihar Water Resources Minister and senior JD(U) leader Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, however, differed with the stand of Thakur and clarified that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was totally committed to working in the larger interests of all sections of society without any discrimination. He had said that there was no question of any discrimination by his party or government, and the interests of all sections of society were being taken care of.

However, contrary to JDU's stand, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha, the BJP leader, strongly supported the stand of JD (U) MP Thakur, saying he had expressed his feelings. It was natural for a leader to give priority to those who had voted for him; he maintained, but clarified, that those who had not voted would not be left out.