Patna,(BiharTimes): The washing of the statue of Socialist ideologue Ram Manohar Lohia––after former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi garlanded it––by activists of Rashtriya Janata Dal and Lohia Vichar Manch in Supaul on Sunday has kicked up a storm with the BJP leader Nand Kishore Yadav denouncing the act.

However, RJD has in a Press release washed its hands of by stating that its workers have nothing to do with the incident. Its leader Bhai Virendra went to the extent of charging the BJP activists with indulging in such an act to defame the RJD.

It all started soon after Manjhi, while on way to Saharsa, stopped at Lohia Chowk in the town to garland the statue.Some people, claiming to be the activists of RJD and Manch, took strong objection to this act and alleged that Manjhi has nothing to do with socialism, but he is a power hungry politician.

They brought water and washed the statue. They also replaced Manjhi’s garland with their own one.Dukhi Lal Yadav of the Lohia Vichar Manch, in a release, said that Manjhi is a man hungry for power and hence has no moral rights to garland the statue of Lohia.

However, Nand Kishore Yadav said that this is an insult not only to a Mahadalit chief minister, but also to Lohia. The incident reminds one of the 15-year of Lalu-Rabri regime. Such forces have joined hands with the ruling Janata Dal (United) and are again raising their heads.Water resources minister Vijay Chaudhary said that he had learnt about the incident from the media and that those who washed the statue were reportedly of the view that since Manjhi is not a Samjwadi (Socialist) he has no right to garland Lohia’s statue.

Strongly criticizing the incident Janata Dal (United) national president, Sharad Yadav, said that Lohia is not anyone’s ‘property’. He is one leader who stood solidly for the cause of Dalit, backwards, Muslims and all the disempowered people. Nobody has right to monopolize Lohia, he said.

The president of Bihar Pradesh Congress Commiitte, Ashok Chaudhary, while condemning the incident said that no political activist can indulge in such a practice. It is the handiwork of those who have joined politics to earn cheap publicity by their antics.

Former CM Manjhi said that Lohia Vichar Manch people should lodge a case against those involved in the incident. He wished Lohia give enough wisdom and understanding to them.Meanwhile, reports from Supaul said four persons have been booked by the police for the incident. One arrest has been made.