Independent MP from Purnia, Pappu Yadav, on Sunday stirred the political waters in Bihar with his assertion that Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) president Chirag Paswan and Jan Suraaj Party chief Prashant Kishor have forged an alliance ahead of the forthcoming Assembly elections.
“Chirag Paswan and Prashant Kishor have joined hands. Prashant Kishor should announce Chirag Paswan as the Chief Minister... Everyone knows that if they win even a few seats, it will cause trouble for the JDU and trouble for Nitish ji. If Chirag ji doesn't like it there, we will welcome him,” Yadav said while addressing reporters in Patna.
Yadav’s remarks followed a strong outburst by Chirag Paswan against the Nitish Kumar-led state government, accusing it of failing to maintain law and order. Paswan described the situation as “shameful”, particularly in the wake of a recent shooting in Gaya involving a retired health official.
“I also believe that these incidents are being carried out as a conspiracy to defame the government ahead of elections. But even then, the responsibility of controlling it lies with the administration. Either the administration is in collusion with it, or the administration has become completely useless, and now it is beyond their power to keep Bihar and Biharis safe,” Paswan said.
Expressing anguish over his party’s continued support to the government, he added, “I feel ashamed that I am supporting such a government, under which crime has gotten out of control. I request the Bihar government to take action on this matter in a timely manner.”
Paswan further stated, “The way there have been criminal incidents one by one, and the way the government has bowed its head down in front of criminals. It is true that the incident is as condemnable as embarrassing, and an arrest also happened. But why are such incidents like murder, loot, dacoit, rape, one after another, happening in Bihar? It looks like the government is totally unsuccessful in curtailing these incidents.”
“If such incidents continue, they will create a frightening situation in the state,” he warned.
Also read: 'Situation scary,' says Chirag, targets Nitish over crime
However, Union Minister and Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) leader Jitan Ram Manjhi countered Paswan’s criticism, urging him to stay within the NDA fold. “We are in NDA. We have to help NDA. We wish him all the best. He should strengthen the NDA,” said Manjhi.
He also added, “If he does not adopt the 2020 policy, it will be a very good thing.”
Justifying the NDA’s relevance, Manjhi said, “Today, NDA has become necessary for the society and the country. Narendra Modi and Nitish Kumar are doing all kinds of development. If someone opposes NDA, then I think he does not have good feelings towards the people of the state and the country, and if work is being done to strengthen it, then we will appreciate it.”
Meanwhile, Prashant Kishor reaffirmed Jan Suraaj’s commitment to clean politics, stating, “There is no place for any 'Baahubali' in Jan Suraaj, be it gun, money, liquor, sand or political 'Baahubali'. The children of common people will contest in Jan Suraaj.”
Continuing his attacks, Kishor accused Bihar BJP President Dilip Jaiswal of grave misconduct. “There are allegations against Bihar BJP President Dr Dilip Jaiswal for committing heinous crimes, and he is not responding to these allegations...We will expose the BJP and Bihar BJP President Dr Dilip Jaiswal...,” he said.
Earlier this month, Kishor had alleged that Jaiswal was part of a mafia syndicate in the Seemanchal region and criticised the BJP’s silence.
He also took a dig at Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s pre-election promises. “After 20 years in power, Nitish Kumar's promises are no longer credible. People are more concerned about inflated electricity bills and prepaid meters. Nitish will go, and Bihar will see a new Chief Minister after November,” Kishor declared.
The Bihar Assembly elections are due later this year, with the NDA, comprising JD(U) and BJP, preparing to square off against the Mahagathbandhan, a coalition of the Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal and Left parties, led by RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav.
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