Patna: Expressing concern over the booing of Chief Ministers of Haryana and Jharkhand at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's public meetings, Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi said "it might have been done at the behest of the Prime Minister".
"The booing of CMs at two of Modi's meetings is the beginning of a wrong tradition. It might have been done at the behest of the PM. It is undemocratic and could be dangerous for the country. Such things should not happen," Manjhi told reporters here.
"Modi did not do anything to stop this. If some anti-social elements were doing this then he could have asked them to stop. But he did not say anything. Silence means he concurred," Manjhi added.
Talking to mediapersons after returning from aerial survey of flood-affected areas in north Bihar, Manjhi also said the PM or CM does not belong to any party. According to the protocol, CMs receives the PM and participate in his meetings.
Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren were reportedly booed at Modi's functions over the last two days. The Prime Minister had visited both the poll-bound states for attending government functions.
Reacting to a query regarding the flood situation, the Bihar CM said he tried to talk to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh over the issue twice since yesterday, but remained unsuccessful.
"I tried talking to Singh yesterday, but it could not materialise. I tried today also but Singh had gone on aerial survey. We are waiting with report on floods. I have myself seen the destruction caused by the flood, and will try talking to him today again," added Manjhi.
The Bihar CM said the floods have not endangered human lives much this time and the waters are receding now.
He said the embankments on the flooded rivers could have broken at several places, but it happened only at a few places because our officials were working wholeheartedly.
"There was some irresponsibility shown by officials and eight to 10 engineers have been suspended in this connection. We had issued instruction to remain vigilant so that the embankments do not get breached," added Manjhi.
The Bihar CM said all possible assistance will be provided to the flood victims and the officials have been directed to focus on relief work.
PTI
First Published: Friday, August 22, 2014, 22:27
