Patna: Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejaswi cracked the whip on RJD legislators who have “claimed” official bungalows that are yet to be allotted and issued a stern warning that the mandate given by the people made it mandatory for all in the party to behave themselves and shed the ‘unruly’ image of the Rashtriya Janata Dal.

27 year old Tejaswi was speaking at the first meeting of RJD MLAs and office-bearers after the election victory. His father RJD chief Lalu ,firmly supported his son’s stand.

“I have learnt that some of our MLAs have forcefully occupied official bungalows. I have found out that the Speaker of the Assembly sanctions the bungalows. I don’t understand why some of our MLAs are in a hurry. This gives a bad name to the party and tarnishes its reputation. All the MLAs will get homes and those who don’t will get funds from the government so they can rent a house for themselves. The legislators should refrain from such actions at any cost,” Tejaswi said.

Local media reported on Tuesday how two RJD MLAs, Arun Kumar Yadav and Anil Kumar Yadav, staked their claim on bungalows of outgoing legislators by getting their nameplates fixed without any official sanction. A JDU MLA, R.N. Singh, has also “grabbed” a bungalow

Said RJD chief Lalu Prasad: “Whatever Tejaswi said is absolutely right. The party’s image is very important and people must understand that things have changed. Please do not force me to get intolerant. There are murmurs that the government won’t run. All of you, under chief minister Nitish Kumar, have to establish the rule of law and good governance. You all have to understand that the RJD now has a huge responsibility. The MLAs and leaders should be very careful in their actions. Indiscipline of any kind will not be tolerated,” Lalu said.

Lalu recounted his own experience of staying for four months in the same peon’s quarters in Veterinary College that he inhabited even after becoming Bihar chief minister in 1990. “I even held a janata durbar there,” he added.

Tejaswi meant business, and party members and leaders who were casual about attending the meeting were ticked off soundly.

“This meeting is very important and the aim is to make 50 lakh new members throughout the state by December 15. Senior leaders, including the party chief, will suggest ways in which the target can be met. Why isn’t any one of you carrying a pad and paper so that you can write down the suggestions? This is a basic of any meeting,” Tejaswi said.

  Bihar, RJD, Tejaswi