PM Modi’s actions don’t match his words, says Nitish

ALSO READ: Bihar Polls: Ram, Krishna, Shakuni, Subhash Chandra Bose … From 2005 to 2013, Kumar ruled Bihar in alliance with the BJP, a period that saw the state’s economy grow by as much as 16 percent. The sting video of JD(U) minister Awadhesh Prasad Kushwaha gave additional ammunition to the NDA for launching a spirited assault on the JD(U)-RJD-Congress combine during the electioneering for the second phase of the 5-phase polls.

Describing Kumar as an “arrogant” leader, Shah said he can not implement the Rs 1.25 lakh crore special package for Bihar announced by the Prime Minister. Even in the first phase of Bihar assembly elections on October 12, he addressed two rallies, one each at Jehanabad and Bhabhua in Kaimur district, while polling was held in 49 assembly constituencies in 10 districts.

In the current campaign, Kumar has joined with former rival Lalu Prasad to lead a tag-team coalition of Bihar’s two most popular chief ministers in the last two decades.

The BJP accepted the leadership of Nitish Kumar only because it wanted Bihar to develop economically.

It would also reinforce the belief that the Hindu nationalist party remains invincible despite its drubbing in state polls in Delhi in February, says the BBC’s Soutik Biswas.

While the BJP has a majority in the Lower House of the Parliament, it has only about a quarter of the 245 members in the Upper House, where seats are distributed based on the strength of political parties in state assemblies.

“Urging all those voting today in Bihar to vote in large numbers”.

Bihar, traditionally seen as a bellwether of national politics, is one of India’s poorest states, and its population of 100 million exceeds that of Germany.

“As many as 300 districts of the country are facing drought-like situation, but the Central Government is more concerned about the chief ministerial chair in Bihar”, said Nitish, adding that the saffron party just wants to expand its power and is hardly concerned about the nation.

Emotions over the issue have been running high following the lycnhing of a 50-year-old man in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, allegedly over rumours that his family had been storing and consuming beef at home.

Muslims comprise about 17% of the total population of the state.

But Modi sought to hit out at Nitish for the scandal saying such charges of corruption had never been levelled against his government when the BJP was part of it. They will have to elect a new leader, not their election mascot.