Bolt from Giriraj: Video shows Nitish with ‘anti-Lalu’ tantrik

PATNA: An undated video clip featuring the grand alliance’s chief ministerial face Nitish Kumar and a ‘tantrik’ has caused considerable sensation in political circles of Bihar only days ahead of third phase of polling on October 28.
The two-minute clip went viral on social media, minutes after ebullient BJP leader and Union minister Giriraj Singh shared it on his Twitter handle and YouTube on Saturday.It shows the ‘tantrik’ hugging and kissing Nitish and also shouting “Lalu murdabad”. The half-clad, bearded ‘tantrik’ is also heard asking Nitish why he joined hands with RJD chief Lalu Prasad.
Even as political pundits described the video as an embarrassment to Nitish who is known as a suave and sophisticated engineer-turned-neta, JD (U) spokesperson and Rajya Sabha member Pavan Kumar Varma sought to downplay the development, saying it was an old clip of June 2014. “Does only the BJP have the right to meet saints?” he asked while justifying Nitish’s meeting with the ‘tantric’. He, however, declined to reveal the name of the ‘tantrik’ and the place where Nitish met him.
However, JD (U) sources said the video was prepared with the help of a mobile phone camera at the residence of a JD (U) MLC where Nitish had gone to attend a social function in June 2014. Nitish and Lalu had by then decided to join hands following their humiliating defeat in the parliamentary election. The MLC can be seen in the clip, albeit partially, the sources said.
The sources claimed soon after Nitish reached the MLC’s residence, he was requested by a party functionary to have a courtesy meeting with the ‘tantrik’ sitting in the next room.