Why New Hoardings of Nitish Kumar Have Rival BJP Exercised
PATNA: A seven-point list of promises that headlines new hoardings and posters of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) has rival BJP exercised.
It has complained to the Election Commission, alleging that Mr Kumar’s ‘Nischay’ or Decision programme amounts to “bribing” voters. A BJP delegation met the Chief Electoral officer of Bihar today.
The Nischay programme is a Rs 2.70 lakh crore development plan that Mr Kumar had announced on August 29, to counter Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement of a 1.25 crore central aid package for Bihar
The Janata Dal (United) points out that Mr Kumar had made the announcement before elections were announced in Bihar, which is when the model code of conduct came into force.
Mr Kumar’s seven promises include electricity in all the villages by October next year, piped water for all rural households, a 1000 rupees which can be availed twice for a period of nine months for unemployed young men and also student loans for anyone who has passed class 12 through student credit cards, with the government paying the interest.
The Election Commission has yet to respond to the BJP’s complaint.
The new JDU hoardings prominently highlight all the seven promises made by Nitish Kumar and also feature his allies Lalu Yadav and the Congress’ Sonia and Rahul Gandhi.
Nitish Kumar has partnered with Lalu Yadav of the RJD and the Congress in what they call the “grand alliance” to take on the BJP in Bihar. The BJP is leading a coalition of four parties.Elections will be held in Bihar in five phases beginning October 12. Votes will be counted on November 8.
