'Mahagathbandhan' in Bihar for withdrawing general consent to CBI

Leaders of the ruling 'Mahagathbandhan' in Bihar on Sunday called for withdrawing the general consent to the CBI, alleging that the agency was being used by the BJP-led government at the Centre for political purposes.

Nine states, including West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Punjab and Meghalaya, have withdrawn general consent for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe cases in their jurisdiction.

RJD leader Shivanand Tiwari said the way the central agencies are being misused to target the BJP's political rivals, the grand alliance government in Bihar must take back the consent given to CBI. "Besides, option should also be explored by the state government to approach the judiciary to check the misuse of central agencies," he said.


Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JDU said it was the right time to withdraw the general consent to CBI. CPIML(L) MLA Mehboob Alam said there was no doubt that the central agencies were being misused by the Centre to destabilise non-BJP governments. CPI(M) MLA Ajay Kumar said the Bihar government should immediately withdraw its consent. Bihar Congress' Rajesh Rathore said no action by the agencies can be seen against BJP leaders.