Democracy Padyatra in Bihar: Ministers Hit Back at Opposition
Bhagalpur, November 2: Leaders of the National Democratic Alliance in Bihar launched a sharp counterattack against the Congress and its allies during the 'Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao' padyatra in Bhagalpur. Speaking at the event, they accused the opposition of undermining public confidence in the country's democratic and constitutional institutions after a series of election defeats.
The leaders targeted the opposition over statements made by Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and accused it of instigating young people. They also said that efforts to damage the image of constitutional institutions were unacceptable.
BJP leader Mrityunjay Tiwari directed his remarks at the Gandhi family. He claimed that political competition was visible between Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi. According to Tiwari, Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi were not willing to give Priyanka Gandhi enough opportunity to advance within the party. He added that Priyanka Gandhi not being given a chance to speak in recent days indicated a rivalry between the brother and sister inside the Congress.
Deepak Prakash, a minister in the Bihar government, responded to Rahul Gandhi's statement. He said the opposition was now looking for inspiration in places and incidents where attempts had been made to change governments through bloody conflict. The minister stressed that the Constitution of India and the country's democratic values were very strong and that such attempts by the opposition would not succeed.
In his remarks, Prakash said the opposition had tried to disturb the atmosphere of the country on various issues following its repeated electoral failures. He said the opposition had first questioned EVMs, then tried to turn SIR into an issue, and was now attempting to use young people for political gain by instigating them.
He said efforts were being made to create anarchy in the country and to weaken public faith in constitutional institutions. He stated that the NDA was out among the people, running an awareness campaign against these attempts.
Nitish Mishra, another minister in the Bihar government, spoke about the purpose of the 'Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao' padyatra. He accused the Congress and its allies of spreading confusion in the country and said the opposition was constantly trying to damage the reputation of constitutional institutions and bodies.
He said the opposition was trying to create an environment in which people would believe that elections in the country are not fair. Through the padyatra, Mishra said, the NDA wanted to send a clear message that democracy in the country is fully established and the constitutional system is strong.
Minister Santosh Suman said that for the past month or two, the Congress had been making continuous statements about the Constitution and constitutional institutions. He alleged that the opposition was attempting to create confusion and anarchy in the country.
Suman said the message was very clear and that the allied parties of the NDA had jointly organised the programme today to increase public awareness against these efforts.