File Photo: PM Narendra Modi addressing the nation through 'Mann ki Baat' radio programme
BJP today criticised the JD (U)-RJD-Congress alliance's demand for a ban on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Mann ki baat' programme, saying they are acting out of desperation sensing their imminent defeat in the Bihar assembly polls.
BJP said the alliance leaders could see the writing on the wall that they will taste defeat in the elections being fought on the agenda of development.
The alliance leaders today approached the Election Commission demanding that the radio programme be banned till the elections are over, as they raised doubts that Modi might use it to influence the voters.
BJP secretary Shrikant Sharma said the alliance's move was "childish" and noted that Congress had made a similar demand during previous assembly polls, including in Haryana, but the EC had rejected it.
"They are in frustration. They can see the writing on the wall that their defeat is certain in Bihar. The elections are being fought on the agenda of development while Nitish Kumar, Lalu Prasad and Congress have nothing to show to people. They are desperate," he said.
Making his point, Mr Sharma cited the recent World Bank report on ease of doing business in states and said Bihar was way below at 21st rank while BJP-ruled Jharkhand was at 3rd.
A delegation of the three-party alliance comprising JD(U), RJD and Congress met the EC with the plea to stop the broadcast of the Prime Minister's monthly radio programme.
Mr Sharma said 'Mann ki baat', whose next episode will be aired on September 20, was "very popular" among the masses and rejected the charge that the Prime Minister would use it to influence voters.
He said whenever the Prime Minister has to speak to the masses during elections he does so through his rallies.
Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad took a dig at Congress over the issue, saying some people had problem with everything Mr Modi does.
"They (Congress) have objected to his package (for Bihar) also. What can be done?" he said.