Limelight cop and Ex-Bihar DGP Gupteshwar Pandey took a political plunge ahead of Bihar elections and joined JD(U) today. Gupteshwar Pandey, who took voluntary retirement earlier this week, had on Saturday met Chief Minister and JD(U) President – Nitish Kumar at his residence in Patna. This triggering speculation that he might join the Janata Dal (United) for the upcoming Bihar elections, scheduled to be held in October-November. But later he said that he has not taken any decision on contesting the elections. “I came here to meet Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and to thank him as he gave me absolute freedom to serve my duties as DGP. I have yet not taken any decision on contesting polls!”.
Pandey’s request for the voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) was approved by Bihar Governor Phagu Chauhan on Tuesday. Since then, speculations were rife about him joining politics. After announcing his retirement, Gupteshwar Pandey further fuelled the speculations by saying, “I am a free man now, can do anything”.
“I don’t understand politics,” says former Bihar DGP Gupteshwar Pandey
“I was called by CM himself and asked to join. Whatever the party asks me to do, I will do. I don’t understand politics. I am a simple person who has spent his time working for the downtrodden section of society,” Pandey said. Taking it to online social media, Gupteshwar Pandey said the situation has become such that it is time for him to enter politics now. The ex-cop urged people to rise above caste religion and awaken the spirit of nationalism, adding that he will go among people with the message of love instead of caste and religion.
Pandey had earlier applied for VRS before the 2014 Lok Sabha polls also but was not given a ticket from the Buxar Lok Sabha seat. He had then withdrawn his VRS application and rejoined the service.
Received Nationwide Attention with Sushant Singh Rajput Case
Pandey’s political inclinations were indicated by his recent remarks on the Sushant Singh Rajput case. He has been critical of the Mumbai Police in matters pertaining to the investigation. He had also sparked a controversy by saying that actor Rhea Chakraborty didn’t have the “Aukaat” “stature” to comment on Bihar’s Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. His decision to step down as Bihar police chief has sparked a political slugfest with the Congress party accusing the BJP of using Pandey to defame Maharashtra, and alleging that he was now being “rewarded”.
“Bihar DGP who pushed for the CBI probe in the death case is being made a candidate for upcoming elections by the ruling party in the state. We are hearing NCB officials probing drug issues are very close to BJP and PM Modi,” Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury had said.
However, the former Bihar DGP has denied the charges and said that his retirement has nothing to do with the Sushant Singh Rajput case.
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