Police chief’s whistle makes Laloo restless

Some of this recent statements:

•Bihar mein lefange ke raj hein

• Siwan MP Mhd Shahabuddin is the mukhiya of kidnappers, but other politicians are queuing up to meet him—some openly and some secretly

• 80 per cent of the state’s policemen are corrupt

• Criminals are welcomed in every political party, because they are considered winnable. Ojha even named RJD leaders Azad Gandhi and Surendra Yadav as ‘‘criminal-politicians,’’ who had earned a fortune in a short time. ‘‘Where has all this money come from,’’ the DGP asked.

• Ojha was the first senior Bihar official to speak out on Dubey. He told The Express: ‘‘Big development projects in the state have become a playground for criminals and the mafia.’’

Ojha’s remarks have won him headlines and instant popularity in the state. Last week when he went to the Patna Book Fair, students greeted him with slogans: ‘‘Bihar ke mukhyamntri kaise ho, DP Ojha jaise ho.’’

In the cabinet meeting, several senior ministers demanded that OJha—who is due to retire on February 28—be sacked. The ministers said his remarks amounted to insulting the elected representatives. Laloo, however, remained guarded in his response. ‘‘He should give results by performance. Who is responsible if 80 per cent of the police are corrupt? About what happened in the cabinet, I also heard it as you did,’’ Laloo said.

In the initial days of the controversy, Laloo had sought to intervene by stating that ‘‘everyone should keep the Lakshman Rekha.’’ Ojha responded, reiterating all his earlier points: ‘‘I know that the Lakshman Rekha has to be honoured both by politicians and officials. But the Lakshman Rekha has become blurred today. I don’t know where it is.’’

Ojha took head on the powerful police associations too, ordering the transfer of its office-bearers. Associations in turn are demanding his sacking, for calling 80 per cent of them corrupt. But Ojha is on a strong wicket legally, with the HC having ordered the transfer of all men who have completed three years in a district. He said if anyone has a problem, the HC’s is the only door to knock.