Bihar MLC Polls: Political War of Words Intensifies

New Delhi, October 27: Ahead of the Bihar MLC elections, political rhetoric has sharpened, with leaders from the NDA and opposition exchanging charges and making bold claims about the outcome.

Janata Dal (United) national general secretary Shyam Rajak, speaking in Patna, said the NDA was confident of winning all eight seats. He claimed that the people’s support lay with the alliance and that voters had recognised the work of its candidates and party.

Rajak highlighted the government’s work in education, arguing that these efforts had brought change to people’s lives. He also described a fundamental difference between the NDA and the INDIA bloc, saying the former reaches out to citizens directly while the latter focuses on public gatherings and celebrations.

He further accused the opposition of misusing money earned from the public through corruption.

In Delhi, Bihar BJP state president Sanjay Saraogi accused the Congress and the INDIA bloc of creating a wrong narrative across the country. He said the BJP had decided to launch the “Lokatantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao” campaign in response.

Saraogi said the campaign’s first phase would run from October 23 to November 5 across the country, with extensive preparations already completed in Bihar. The party, he said, would use the campaign to answer the opposition’s allegations.

Bihar minister Ram Kripal Yadav responded to claims of voter inducement by saying the issue was being raised by losing candidates. He pointed out that a petition had been filed in the Supreme Court and that the Election Commission had told the court its decisions are taken by consensus.

Minister Santosh Suman, reacting to the INDIA bloc’s proposed rally at Ramlila Maidan on November 1, said everyone has the right to voice their opinion in a democracy. If the opposition wants to stage a dharna or protest, he added, it should be permitted.

Suman asserted that the public is the final judge and is watching developments closely. He also criticised the Congress for steady decline and questioned the unity of the INDIA bloc, calling it a nominal alliance.