PM pic insulted: NDA seeks Nitish minister’s dismissal

Excise and Prohibition Minister Abdul Jalil Mastan may be removed from the Nitish Kumar ministry following strong pressure from the NDA and by the RJD president Lalu Prasad.

On Thursday, Lalu said he has watched the audio-video in which the minister was seen provoking his supporters to hurl shoes and sticks on the picture of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a public meeting on February 22 at Amour in Purnia district. Lalu said the minister has committed "Atrocious act (Jaghanaya apradh). He advised the Congress leadership to drop Mastan from the cabinet.

Both the Houses of the state legislature were adjourned till Friday morning following protests by the opposition members who were adamant they would allow normal business only after Mastan was sacked.

National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leaders marched to Raj Bhawan from Bihar legislature complex to press their demand for dismissal of Mastan for his anti-PM comments.

Leader of opposition Prem Kumar did not attend the meeting of the business advisory committee in protest against the absence of the chief minister. Chief whip of BJP Arun Kumar Sinha attended the meeting.

Former chief minister Jeetan Manjhi, former deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi led a delegation of the NDA to the Governor Ram Nath Kovind and submitted a memorandum requesting the Governor to direct the chief minister to remove Mastan from the council of ministers.

Meanwhile, more than half a dozen cases have been instituted at different places in the state, including Patna by BJP leaders against the minister for spreading hatred against the Prime Minister.