Patna: The political scandal surrounding alleged horse-trading during Bihar’s Assembly vote of confidence has reached the ruling party, with BJP MLA Bhagirathi Devi subjected to a three-hour-long interrogation on Tuesday.
The Economic Offences Unit (EOU) reportedly questioned Devi in Ramnagar, uncovering details that could illuminate the murky intersections of power and political bargaining in the state. Sources within the agency suggest that the session revealed critical clues, accelerating the investigation into the alleged sale of influence.
The probe, which has already seen BJP MLA Mishrilal Yadav questioned for four hours, now appears set to target the ruling Janata Dal (United) as well. Dilip Rai, a JDU legislator, is expected to be interrogated on Wednesday, highlighting that the alleged horse-trading network may have extended across party lines.
Several other figures, including former minister Bima Bharti, RJD MLA Dr. Sanjeev, party engineer Sunil, and aides such as drivers and bodyguards, have also been identified by the investigators. Officials say the inquiry is beginning to expose the so-called “secret deals” behind the political manoeuvres that followed the Nitish Kumar government’s vote of confidence in February 2024.
While the EOU maintains that the investigation is in its early stages, questions are mounting over whether the scandal represents a broader erosion of democratic norms or is simply another episode of political posturing. Citizens and analysts alike are watching closely, eager to see whether the probe will hold politicians accountable or fade amid Bihar’s entrenched political rivalries.
