Congress leader Rahul Gandhi today targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the migrant crisis during the coronavirus lockdown and Chinese aggression at the border as he addressed a series of rallies in Bihar for polls next week.
Rahul Gandhi and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, the leader of the opposition alliance, addressed a joint rally at Nawada. Their campaign coincided with PM Modi's first day of rallies in Bihar with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
Tejashwi Yadav had criticized Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for "staying put at home" during the coronavirus fight and only coming out now to ask for votes.
"Nitish Kumar stayed inside the Chief Minister's house for 144 days. But now he is out of his house. Why? Tab bhi corona tha, ab bhi corona hai. But now he wants your vote, so he has to step out," Mr Yadav remarked.
On the other hand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing his first rally in Bihar today for the election starting next week, referred to criticism of his government's move to end special status to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 and targeted the opposition.
"Everyone was waiting for Article 370 to be repealed but these people are saying that they will overturn the decision once they are voted to power," PM Modi said in Sasaram, addressing a joint rally with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
Bihar votes on October 28, November 3 and 7 for a new government and the results will be announced on November 10.
Here are the Highlights on Bihar Assembly Elections 2020:
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday said that people of the state were yearning for a change as he attacked the BJP-led government over transgressions by China in eastern Ladakh and accused it of working for the benefit of select industrialists.
Addressing an election rally in Bhagalpur, he urged people to elect a government of farmers, workers, youth and small shopkeepers and said only that government will be formed in the state which will give employment to youth.
"You have to build Bihar and the key to development is in your hands. You have to decide that the government will be of Bihar's farmers, workers, youth and small shopkeepers. Now only that government will be formed in Bihar which will give employment to youth," he said.
Hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed his first election rally in poll-bound Bihar, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and Mahagathbandhan's chief ministerial candidate Tejashwi Yadav attacked him for not giving ''special state'' status category to Bihar.
Addressing a press conference, Mr Yadav also attacked Prime Minister for not speaking on alleged scams in the state during Nitish Kumar government.
"For how long will the PM keep Bihar from the Special State status category? Bihar had hopes that he would speak about that. BJP talks about generating 19 lakh jobs depending on private enterprise. We will directly give 10 lakh government jobs," he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday made a strong attack on RJD and its allies in Bihar and said that the parties against ruling NDA are opposing decisions taken in the interest of the country including abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and the law against instant triple talaq.
Addressing an election rally in Bhagalpur, he said the state was moving ahead with determination towards self-reliance and if parties in opposition get a chance to come back to power, the progress of the state will be slowed down.
He said every vote should be cast for NDA parties in the state under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
"The vote in Bihar is clearly in favour of alliance of BJP, JD-U, HAM and VIP led by Nitishji. Wherever I went, the mood that I am seeing, the people of the state have taken a pledge to make Nitishji Chief Minister again," he said.
"Those standing against NDA today, they are opposing every decision in the interest of the country. They are against the decision to abrogate Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, against decision on law against triple talaq to give rights to Muslim women," he added.
PM Modi said parties opposed to NDA were "against the growth of the country".
Lok Janshakti Party chief Chirag Paswan, who last week said that he is the "Hanuman" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is scheduled to visit Sita temple in Sithamarhi on October 25 and likely to propose the construction of a grand temple at the site.
Mr Paswan has promised to accord Sita her deserved place in Sithamarhi, "the birthplace of the Goddess". A grand temple at the site is being viewed as a complement to the grand Ram temple at Ayodhya.
During the campaigning for Bihar polls, LJP supremo had termed himself as PM Modi's Hanuman and also assured that LJP will not field any candidate against the BJP. He did not severe his ties with NDA at the centre despite coming out of the alliance in the state.
Mr Paswan is expected to propose grand plans to connect two holy cities - Ayodhya and Sithanarhi- through a religious corridor in an effort to serve pilgrims and provide the boost to the economy of region. Sitamarhi is located in Mithila region, named after the father of Goddess Sita.
Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) chief Chirag Paswan thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for remembering his father Ram Vilas Paswan after visiting Bihar.
"As a son, I felt good seeing Prime Minister's love and respect towards my father," Chirag tweeted.
"Respected Narendra Modiji comes to Bihar and pays homage to Papa like a true companion. To say that he was with my father till his last breath made me emotional. It is good to see this affection and respect of the Prime Minister towards Papa, as a son. Thank you Prime Minister," he added.
The people of Bihar have decided to reelect Chief Minister Nitish Kumar-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the state, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday.
The Prime Minister was speaking at a rally in Bhagalpur, his third for the day.
"This is my third rally today, the mandate of people is clearly with the NDA government under the leadership of Nitish Kumarji. The mandate of Bihar is clear wherever I have gone I have seen, the people of Bihar have decided to reelect Nitishji and make NDA win again to ensure the speed of Bihar''s development increases," PM Modi said.
Targeting the Opposition (Rashtriya Janata Dal and Congress) in the state, PM Modi said that they had done nothing else than filling their own coffers and looting the state.
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav Friday asserted his father and party supremo Lalu Prasad will
Bihar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi to shortly address a public rally in Bhagalpur. Earlier today, he addressed public rallies in Sasaram and Gaya. #BiharElections pic.twitter.com/6ptif6U1w0
- ANI (@ANI) October 23, 2020
Bihar: RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav & Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attend 'Badlav Sankalp' #BiharElections joint rally at Hisua in Nawada district.
- ANI (@ANI) October 23, 2020
"PM Modi & CM Nitish Kumar even took away the jobs of those employed & forced all mills to close," says RJD Leader Tejashwi Yadav pic.twitter.com/34BDsqi4on
In the last few years, a lot of effort & strict actions have been taken to limit the activities of Naxals in the country. Naxal presence has now been restricted to limited areas: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a public rally at Gandhi Maidan in Gaya, Bihar pic.twitter.com/J1xTYoh3d7
- ANI (@ANI) October 23, 2020
When I as Gujarat CM & Nitish Ji attended UPA's central meetings, Nitish Ji always told them - don't stall Bihar's development. But for 10 yrs, those who were defeated in Bihar were angry, they influenced Centre & ensured Nitish ji cannot work. They wasted Bihar's 10 yrs: PM Modi pic.twitter.com/F6yHFCfDTR
- ANI (@ANI) October 23, 2020
#WATCH LIVE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a public rally at Biada Maidan in Sasaram. #BiharElections2020 https://t.co/p0zm9reTsA
- ANI (@ANI) October 23, 2020
बिहार: गया में आज होने वाली प्रधानमंत्री नरेंद्र मोदी की रैली के लिए तैयारियां चल रही हैं। रैली के लिए बड़ी संख्या में सुरक्षाबल तैनात किया गया है।
- ANI_HindiNews (@AHindinews) October 23, 2020
प्रधानमंत्री नरेंद्र मोदी आज बिहार में तीन रैलियों को संबोधित करेंगे। #BiharElections pic.twitter.com/Gv2Z776Qy6
PM Narendra Modi reaches Biada Maidan in Sasaram to address an election rally.
- ANI (@ANI) October 23, 2020
Chief Minister and JDU chief Nitish Kumar addressing at present, says, "I welcome our Prime Minister and I thank people for turning up in huge numbers despite #COVID19 pandemic." #BiharElections2020 pic.twitter.com/Bn5y1Im7iB
Earlier it used to be - 'tum mujhe khoon do,main tumhe azadi dunga' & now it's - 'tum mujhe vote do,hum tumhe vaccine denge'.Only those who vote for BJP will get vaccine, it shows BJP's discriminatory nature: S Raut,Shiv Sena on BJP's promise of free COVID vaccine to all in Bihar pic.twitter.com/t5Dl90r9i4
- ANI (@ANI) October 23, 2020
आदरणीय प्रधानमंत्री जी का बेसब्री से इंतजार कर रहे आदरणीय @NitishKumar जी का इंतजार आज खत्म हो जाएगा।आदरणीय@AmitShah जी के भी कह देने के बाद कि @LJP4India बिहार चुनाव में NDA का हिस्सा नहीं है,नीतीश जी को तसल्ली नहीं हुई।अभी और प्रमाणपत्र चाहिए।आदरणीय@narendramodi जी का स्वागत है
- युवा बिहारी चिराग पासवान (@iChiragPaswan) October 23, 2020
'तुम्हारे दावों में बिहार का मौसम गुलाबी है
- Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 23, 2020
मगर ये आंकड़े झूठे हैं ये दावा किताबी है।'
कोरोना हो या बेरोज़गारी, झूठे आँकड़ों से पूरा देश परेशान है।
आज बिहार में आपके बीच रहूँगा। आइए, इस झूठ और कुशासन से पीछा छुड़ाएँ।
Bihar Assembly Elections
- Kapil Sibal (@KapilSibal) October 23, 2020
The Ultimate Poll Promise Jumla :
Free vaccine against COVID-19 for residents of Bihar
No vaccine in sight
But why for Bihar residents only ?
Are residents of other states not residents of India ?
Election Commission should step in
आशा है प्रधानमंत्री जी आज बिहारवासियों को बतायेंगे कि शिक्षा,स्वास्थ्य,नौकरी,रोजगार, कृषि,उद्योग जैसे क्षेत्रों में बिहार 15 वर्षों से JDU-BJP सरकार के बावजूद भी राष्ट्रीय औसत के सबसे निम्नतम स्तर पर क्यों है?40 में से 39 MP देने वाले बिहार को NDA ने बेरोजगारी के सिवाय क्या दिया?
- Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) October 23, 2020
Bihar: Preparations underway at Biada Maidan in Sasaram, ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rally today. #BiharElections2020 pic.twitter.com/L8bnmTcZZF
- ANI (@ANI) October 23, 2020
