Opposition ticked off at CM's Remarks
Patna: Dec. 4, 2007
 Reacting to the Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's validation of the police actions taken against the Asha health workers in Patna a few days ago, opposition led by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Communist Party of India pounded on him accusing him of being undemocratic and attempting to kill the voice of the people.
The two main mouthpieces of the RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, Shyam Rajak and Dr. Nihora Prasad Yadav, accused Kumar of slowly but surely moving towards a dictatorship under which the Bihar public would have no say in any matter and the bureaucracy would be run by a police state.
"The Chief Minister's actions have undermined the philosophies of Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narain, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia, and Karpoori Thakur. Bihar under Nitish Kumar is undergoing an emergency-like situation where lathi, guns, and water cannon are being used on anyone who does not agree with this government's policies," Rajak said.
CPI leader Badri Narayan Lal also pointed the finger at the Chief Minister for 'trying to suppress the voice of the people'.
"What happened on November 30th was despicable and is a black spot on this NDA government. The Chief Minister is forgetting that he is an elected leader and is acting in a dangerous, autocratic manner. In a democracy, the people have a right to protest and any attempt to crush the voice of the people would be met with much stronger force," the CPI leader said.
On Tuesday, activists under the Village Health Guide Scheme also criticized the government for using force on Asha workers.
At a protest rally organized at the R-Block crossing, the protestors said they were shocked by the post-clash reaction by the Chief Minister who, they said, instead of showing some support for the cause of those who suffered in the hands of the police, chose to side with the administration that clearly failed to keep the situation under control.
Meanwhile, the government has shrugged off the opposition charges calling them baseless and a concerted attempt to spread anarchy in the state.
"Under the 15 years of Lalu-Rabri jungle raj, some people have gotten used to no law and order in the state. Now that the Nitish government is struggling to restore the rule of law in Bihar, those who have vested interests in a backward, lawless state are opposing the efforts and making baseless allegations like the Chief Minister is becoming a dictator," a senior Janata Dal (U) leader said.
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