A day after RLSP chief Upendra Kushwaha’ controversial statement, Bihar’s Additional General of Police Kundan Krishnan has come out with a strong statement saying that even as the Election Commission has taken cognizance of the matter, if there would be any violence reported due to Kushwaha’s statement, then he would be held responsible for the same.
“If any violence takes place in the state because of the statement Upendra Kushwaha made yesterday, then he will be held responsible for it,” said Krishan, ADG, Headquarters, in a statement.
Kushwaha was seen calling for violence while addressing a press conference in Patna on May 21. Accusing the central government of tampering with EVMs, Kushwaha had said that Mahagathbandhan workers and the people of Bihar should not shy away from picking up weapons if it is needed to protect their votes.
Accusing the Central government of tampering with the votes, Kushwaha said, “Result loot karne ki jo koshish ho rahi hai to nishchit roop se hum Mahagathbandhan ke hamare sathiyo se aur Bihar ki janta se kahenge ki is tarah ki ghatna ko rokne ke liye hathiyar bhi uthana ho to uthaiye. (There are attempts being made to tamper with the election results and in such a situation I would like to urge to the Mahagathbandhan allies and the people of Bihar to even pick up weapons to stop this).”
Responding to the remarks made by Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RSLP) leader Upendra Kushwaha calling for violence over EVM tampering allegations, Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) Chief Ram Vilas Paswan had said that there will be ‘tit for tat’.
Talking about the incident where an independent LS candidate from Buxar brandished a gun during a press conference and referring to the Kushwaha’s controversial statement, AGP Krishnan said that it is in cognisance of the Election Commission of India (ECI) as the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) is still in force.
Notably, police had issued an arrest warrant against Ramchandra Singh Yadav for brandishing a gun during a press conference. A police team also raided his residence in Kaimur, but he is absconding.
ADG Krishan has issued the order for Yadav’s arrest and also for the cancellation of the licence of his rifle if so. “If his weapon is found to be illegal, then a case would also be registered against him under the Arms Act,” said Krishnan.
Meanwhile, Yadav had claimed that he had taken out his rifle to protect the Constitution and democracy in the country. “People and leaders should now join me in the fight to secure our democracy. You cannot get your rights without fighting,” said Yadav.
