NDA Leaders Assert Pappu Yadav's Arrest Follows Legal Process, Dismiss Political Vendetta Claims
In Patna, amid swirling allegations of political vendetta and vocal protests in his support, leaders of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Sunday characterized the arrest of Purnia MP Rajesh Ranjan, widely known as Pappu Yadav, in a three-decade-old case as a straightforward legal and judicial procedure. The arrest has ignited a fierce political debate, with opposition parties decrying it as targeted action, while NDA figures maintain it is a matter of upholding the law.
Chirag Paswan Emphasizes Equal Application of Law
Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) president and Union Minister Chirag Paswan addressed reporters in his home constituency of Hajipur, drawing a clear distinction between political theatrics and legal accountability. "While political uproar and drama are one aspect, the law applies equally to every individual in this country," Paswan stated. He elaborated that if one's actions are righteous, there should be no fear, and faith must be placed in India's judicial system. Conversely, he warned that those who have committed crimes will not escape consequences, regardless of their influence or position.
Paswan further questioned the atmosphere of apprehension being cultivated around the arrest, noting that no Member of Parliament can be detained without substantial evidence and solid grounds. He reaffirmed that in the NDA government, justice and humanity are inseparable principles. "If someone is innocent, no harm will come to them. However, if guilt is established, neither political clout, high office, nor partisan maneuvering will provide sanctuary," he asserted.
Sharp Rebuttal to Opposition Allegations
Responding to opposition protests that have linked Pappu Yadav's arrest to his vigorous advocacy in the Jehanabad medical aspirant's alleged rape and death case, Chirag Paswan launched a pointed critique against the Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). He accused these parties of a longstanding tendency to label every governmental action as political vendetta, whereas the current situation, he insisted, is purely about legal enforcement and not about settling political scores.
Other NDA Voices Echo Legal Stance
Another Union Minister and Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) patron, Jitan Ram Manjhi, clarified that the arrest of the Purnia MP is unrelated to any recent events but stems from an old case. While refraining from extensive commentary and acknowledging it as a legal process, Manjhi did note that Pappu Yadav had been outspoken on the NEET student death case issue.
Senior BJP leader and Union Minister Nityanand Rai firmly denied any vindictive motives behind the police action. "When an individual violates the law, encroaches on property, or faces an FIR and judicial warrant, it is incumbent upon the police to act," Rai explained, underscoring the procedural nature of the arrest.
JD(U) Spokesperson Highlights Legal Precedents
JD(U) spokesperson and MLC Neeraj Kumar provided additional context, revealing that the Purnia MP had been declared absconding by the judiciary, with a non-bailable warrant and confiscation order issued against him. Kumar challenged the narrative connecting the arrest to the NEET aspirant death case, asking, "How can such claims hold water when the judiciary itself had labeled him absconding and taken stringent legal measures?" He urged that if a bail petition is filed, it should not be misconstrued as evidence of political targeting.
Opposition Concerns and Government Response
In contrast, Janshakti Janata Dal chief Tej Pratap Yadav expressed concern over the arrest, stating that Pappu Yadav had raised significant issues and now finds himself framed in an antiquated case. He alleged that the atmosphere has been deliberately poisoned and called for government intervention to address the matter fairly.
The arrest of Pappu Yadav, a figure known for his contentious political career, has thus become a flashpoint, testing the boundaries between legal accountability and political maneuvering. As the judicial process unfolds, NDA leaders continue to frame it as a testament to the rule of law, while opposition forces view it through the lens of political reprisal, setting the stage for ongoing debates in Bihar's charged political landscape.
