Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar addressed seven rallies today, against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's four.
Patna:
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi took on Nitish Kumar in a series of rallies in Bihar today, the Chief Minister pulled no punches - giving point-by-point rebuttal over the pulses crisis, broken promises and what he called the "dictatorship" of the PM.
In tweet in the evening, the Bihar Chief Minister said "Shah and tanashah" (BJP and Amit Shah and the "dictator", PM Modi) have received a lesson from the people of Bihar in "Lok-Tantrik shakti" (the power of democracy). "They are upset as they are facing losses," he said.
The reference to "lok-tantric shakti" was Mr Kumar's riposte to the Prime Minister's dig at him over the tantric episode - a veiled reference to a video clipping showing the chief minister's meeting with a tantrik that had gone viral on social media on Saturday.
"I was reading in the papers that this maha gathbandhan has three players -- Now I have found out there is a fourth partner -- the tantric," PM Modi had said earlier today. In subsequent rallies, every time he mentioned the word "lok-tantrik", he allowed a substantial pause before uttering the word "tantric".
"Either the Prime Minister goes abroad or goes on rallies... He has not fulfilled any promises. The price of dal has gone up. He says, 'Acche din aaega'," Mr Kumar hit back. "In earlier elections, they would to say 'Har Har Modi,' now they should say 'Arhar Modi'."
The issue of Bihari versus Baharai (outsiders), too, featured prominently in their addresses. The matter was initiated by PM Modi, who accused Mr Kumar and his alliance partner, RJD chief Lalu Prasad, of making migrants of the youth of Bihar.
"You have to decide who will rule Bihar -- Bihari or Bahari. If a Bihari can rule, then I'm available. All Baharis should leave Bihar," Mr Kumar shot back.
Bihar is getting ready for the third of the 5-phase assembly elections.
There were reports that the BJP had suffered a setback in the first two-phases - the party has vehemently denied this. The coming phase -- in which 50 constituencies from across six districts are going to polls on Wednesday - will be crucial for both sides.
In tweet in the evening, the Bihar Chief Minister said "Shah and tanashah" (BJP and Amit Shah and the "dictator", PM Modi) have received a lesson from the people of Bihar in "Lok-Tantrik shakti" (the power of democracy). "They are upset as they are facing losses," he said.
The reference to "lok-tantric shakti" was Mr Kumar's riposte to the Prime Minister's dig at him over the tantric episode - a veiled reference to a video clipping showing the chief minister's meeting with a tantrik that had gone viral on social media on Saturday.
"I was reading in the papers that this maha gathbandhan has three players -- Now I have found out there is a fourth partner -- the tantric," PM Modi had said earlier today. In subsequent rallies, every time he mentioned the word "lok-tantrik", he allowed a substantial pause before uttering the word "tantric".
"Either the Prime Minister goes abroad or goes on rallies... He has not fulfilled any promises. The price of dal has gone up. He says, 'Acche din aaega'," Mr Kumar hit back. "In earlier elections, they would to say 'Har Har Modi,' now they should say 'Arhar Modi'."
The issue of Bihari versus Baharai (outsiders), too, featured prominently in their addresses. The matter was initiated by PM Modi, who accused Mr Kumar and his alliance partner, RJD chief Lalu Prasad, of making migrants of the youth of Bihar.
"You have to decide who will rule Bihar -- Bihari or Bahari. If a Bihari can rule, then I'm available. All Baharis should leave Bihar," Mr Kumar shot back.
Bihar is getting ready for the third of the 5-phase assembly elections.
There were reports that the BJP had suffered a setback in the first two-phases - the party has vehemently denied this. The coming phase -- in which 50 constituencies from across six districts are going to polls on Wednesday - will be crucial for both sides.
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