MOHAMMAD ZIYAUDDIN
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Patna: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) president Lalu Prasad Yadav appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday in connection with the land-for-jobs scam, officials confirmed.
A large number of RJD supporters gathered outside the ED’s Bank Road office in Patna, raising slogans in support of the ailing 76-year-old leader.
Rabri Devi, Tej Pratap Questioned Ahead of Lalu's Summoning
A day before Lalu's questioning, his wife Rabri Devi and elder son Tej Pratap Yadav, both co-accused in the case, were grilled for nearly four hours by the central agency.
Meanwhile, Tejashwi Yadav, Lalu’s younger son and political successor, also named as an accused, reacted strongly to the investigation.
Tejashwi Yadav said:
"The more we are harassed, the stronger we shall become. This case is politically motivated. Had I not been in politics, I would not have been dragged into this. I had predicted after the Delhi assembly elections that agencies would now target Bihar."
What is the Land-for-Jobs Scam?
The case pertains to the period when Lalu Prasad Yadav was the Railway Minister during the first term of the Congress-led UPA government. Allegations suggest that:
Land was allegedly taken from job seekers in exchange for employment in the Indian Railways.
Several properties were reportedly acquired in the names of Lalu’s family members and close associates.
The CBI and ED have been investigating money laundering and corruption charges linked to the scam.
With the 2024 Lok Sabha elections approaching, the RJD has called this probe a political vendetta, while the BJP maintains it is a case of corruption that must be investigated.
