Minister should reply to PK’s corruption charges: JD(U)

Patna: JD(U) has reacted sharply to Prashant Kishor’s allegations of transactions of more than Rs 200 crore against senior party leader and rural works department minister Ashok Choudhary.JD(U) state chief spokesman Neeraj Kumar said on Saturday, “The party is facing such ‘agni pariksha’ and allegations for the first time. Since the allegation has been made against him, Choudhary should explain.”He added that CM Nitish Kumar always maintains a zero tolerance policy on corruption. “Nitish Kumar ji has redefined politics with his honesty and integrity throughout his 20-year tenure and political career. No one has ever been born to prove even a single penny of accusation against him. Those who have been accused should respond,” he posted on X.The JD(U) MLC recalled how in July 2017, Nitish had asked then deputy CM Tejashwi Prasad Yadav to explain corruption charges, failing which he dissolved the Mahagathbandhan govt and rejoined BJP.PK, founder of Jan Suraaj, on Friday accused Ashok of acquiring benami property worth more than Rs 200 crore in the name of his wife, daughter and a trust named Manav Vaibhav Vikas Trust managed by Acharya Kishor Kunal’s wife and son in the last two years.Ashok dismissed the allegations as nonsense, saying he has already filed a defamation case against PK for earlier remarks that he bought a party ticket for his daughter Shambhavi Choudhary to contest the 2024 Lok Sabha election from Samastipur on an LJP(RV) ticket.But Neeraj insisted, “Ashok Choudhary should provide a point-by-point clarification on the serious allegations of corruption levelled by Prashant Kishor. Nitish Kumar’s govt has always been an example of good governance. Therefore, such allegations against any minister impact the govt’s image.”Congress spokesman Asit Nath Tiwari admitted Nitish is an honest politician. “But it does not mean that the CM allows his men to loot the state,” he said on the allegations against Ashok, who is considered close to Nitish.