EC baiter faces similar caste remark charge

And Saptarishi’s allegation that the EC members made remarks about the caste of the Chhapra SP is untenable because the then SP, Ganesh Kumar, was not a Yadav.

What’s on record though is that Saptarishi commented on the Yadav SP of the neighboring district of Gopalganj. Two senior officials, who were present at the meeting where he made these remarks, have confirmed it to The Indian Express.

Saptarishi, a West Bengal cadre officer known for his proximity to the CPM, was chairing a meeting of election officials of Saran division— Chhapra comes under this division—days before the polls.

DMs and SPs briefed the EC observers about the preparations being made for the peaceful conduct of elections. Gopalganj SP Anil Kishore Yadav reported that Rama Shanker Yadav, a wanted man, had been nabbed with an Ak-47 and several other weapons. The SP also detailed the deployment of forces in the district.

‘‘Oh, you have deployed the forces to ensure that Sadhu Yadav wins,’’ Saptarishi said, leaving the other 20 officers present there stunned.

Sadhu Yadav, brother-in-law of Laloo Prasad Yadav, was the candidate from Gopalganj.

Taken aback, Gopalganj DM Rahul Singh tried to explain.

But, according to a senior IAS official present there, Saptarishi snubbed the DM: ‘‘I am not asking you, I am asking Mr Yadav, the SP.’’

An upset Anil Kishore Yadav, the SP, decided to place this incident on record by detailing the events in a letter to the DGP.

When The Indian Express reached Yadav for his comments today, Anil Kishore Yadav declined: ‘‘My service code bars me from sharing any official communication with the press.’’

Narayan Mishra, who was the DGP when the incident happened, simply said: ‘‘During the elections, I may have received hundreds of letters. You cannot expect me to remember the contents of each. Please ask the present DGP.’’

Ashish Ranjan Sinha, who replaced Mishra last week ahead of a major administrative reshuffle in Bihar, was not available for comment.