If any violence takes place in Bihar, Kushwaha to be held responsible: ADG

Former Union Minister Upendra Kushwaha would be held responsible if any violence breaks out in the state after his statement that there would be bloodshed if EVMs were tampered, said Additional Director General of Police (ADG) Kundan Krishan here on Wednesday. "If any violence takes place in the state because of the statement Upendra Kushwaha made yesterday, then he will be held responsible for it," said Krishan, ADG, Headquarters, in a statement.

Rashtriya Loktantrik Samata Party (RLSP) president Kushwaha had told media persons that if there were any tampering in the counting of votes, then the people might take up arms and "we will not be responsible for the consequences." Krishnan also said the statement of Kushwaha and the act of brandishing a rifle during a press meet by the independent candidate from Buxar Ramchandra Singh Yadav today are in the cognisance of the Election Commission of India (ECI) as the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) is still in force.

It is worth mentioning that the police on Wednesday issued an arrest warrant against Yadav, also a former MLA, for displaying his licensed weapon at his press meet. A police team also raided his residence in Kaimur, but he is absconding. ADG Krishan has issued the order for Yadav's arrest and also for the cancellation of the licence of his rifle if so. "If his weapon is found to be illegal, then a case would also be registered against him under the Arms Act," said Krishnan.

Talking to media persons, Yadav claimed that he had taken out his rifle to protect the Constitution and democracy in the country. "The Constitution and democracy are in danger. As a citizen of this country, I am going to protect it with a gun," said Yadav. Yadav further said: "I have believed in the ideals of Babasaheb Dr BR Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi, but the situation has changed in the country now. I have to abide by the ideals of revolutionaries like Subhash Chandra Bose and Mangal Pandey."

"People and leaders should now join me in the fight to secure our democracy. You cannot get your rights without fighting," added Yadav, who also fought the last Lok Sabha from Buxar on the ticket of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). Yadav also questioned the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) in the elections, while citing different advanced countries where the ballot papers are used for holding the polls. "Japan, US, Britain and other countries of the world use ballot papers. Then why EVMs are used in India," he asked.

Referring to leaders like BSP chief Mayawati, SP president Akhilesh Yadav, and Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Yadav said: "I am a small soldier of 'Bahujan Samaj' and the 'mahagathbandhan." Hitting out at the BJP, Yadav compared the saffron party with a snake and its leaders with mythological characters like Ravana and Duryodhana. "To secure democracy I am ready to make any sacrifice. There are crores of others, like me, who are ready for making sacrifices," said Yadav.

(With inputs from agencies.)