Earlier this week, a new series of verbal spat has begun between Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar and the leader of opposition Tejashwi Prasad Yadav. It is amusing that something as inconsequential as the installation of CCTV camera could become a conflict point between two political leaders.
On November 14, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi, in his tweet, accused Nitish Kumar of snooping on the opposition leaders by installing a CCTV camera on the rear wall of the CM residence and the main entrance of his house at Patna’s Circular Road.
Is this Nitish Ji's paranoia for security or many other insecurities, frustrations & apprehensions with tht he has put only CCTV camera right on the boundary wall b/w his & mine residence to snoop over?
Why CM needs a camera only thr with already a permanent security check post? pic.twitter.com/EljUO5EiLf
— Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) November 15, 2018
नीतीश जी,आपकी पुलिस और आपको अपनी सुरक्षा का पूरा अधिकार है लेकिन हमारे बेडरूम,आवास के अंदर मुख्य भवन के द्वार, रसोई,आवासीय कार्यालय और आवासीय निजता में 360 डिग्री के HD कैमरा लगाकर ताँक-झाँक करने का अधिकार नहीं है।आप हमारे घर के बाहर मेन गेट पर कैमरा लगवाइए हमें कोई दिक़्क़त नही pic.twitter.com/x1AovXzTUs
— Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) November 15, 2018
Former Bihar CM Jitan Ram Manjhi lent his weight to Tejashwi’s allegations and demanded the immediate removal of the camera.
However, JD(U) has discredited the allegations and claimed that the cameras were installed to tighten the security for the CM.
According to a news report by Indian Express, a senior official at CM residence said that it was merely a coincidence that one of the cameras was overlooking an adjoining residence.
Meanwhile, deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi slammed Tejashwi for indulging in ‘camera politics.
It wouldn’t be surprising if Nitish did intentionally installed the cameras to keep a close eye on the opponents, given the intense political discontent going on the state which would go to polls in 2020. While the party spokesperson has openly denied any ill-intention behind the installation of the cameras, it remains to be seen whether or not the truth will be out. Did Nitish Kumar really install the camera to snoop on Tejashwi Yadav? Is the Bihar government growing insecure about the next assembly polls?