Nitish dithering on CBI probe demand into excise 'scam': Lalu

Seeking a reply from his bete noire Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar as to why he was not recommending a CBI probe into the alleged multi-crore excise scandal, RJD supremo Lalu Prasad today accused Kumar of trying to save certain officials.

"RJD and other political parties are demanding a CBI probe into Rs500 crore scandal unravelled by its own excise minister Jamshed Ashraf but the chief minister is dithering over ordering an inquiry by the agency," Prasad told reporters here.

Seeking a reply from Kumar on the issue, Prasad alleged that the chief minister was out to save officials involved in the "scam". The present NDA government has opened a liquor shop in every nook and corner of the state capital as well as in villages giving scant respect to principles, Prasad alleged.

The former Railway minister also charged the NDA dispensation with providing patronage to hoarders and blackmarketeers "as any action against them would result in withdrawal of support to the JD(U) by BJP, a party of businessmen."