Rallies, show of strength for politicians in Bihar

Patna, Nov 27 (UNI) Politicians in Bihar are organising mega rallies to show their strength in the political arena.

Similar to the RJD chief Lalu Prasad is ''Chetavni Rally'', which the Opposition claimed was a failure, another rally will be organised by the LJP chief and Union Fertilizer and Steel Minister Ramvilas Paswan. Mr Paswan is spending a large amount to organise the ''Sankalp Rally'' at the historical Gandhi Maidain here tomorrow.

The party had booked 27 trains and is spending Rs 1.5 crore for it, it is also expected to carry the rallyists through the roads of the city, for which the total expenditure was likely to be Rs 5 lakh per district, which is roughly around Rs 1.6 crore.

For the display of publicity materials, the LJP had scored a point over the RJDs Chetavni rally as the entire state capital was flooded with the welcome gates and hoardings.

Sources at the Patna Municipal Corporation said that for every welcome gate, the LJP had to pay Rs 1,000. When contacted, one of the senior LJP leader, playing a pivotal role in organising the rally, pleaded ignorance on the number of welcome gates erected by the party leaders here. Party sources today disclosed the LJP had spent over Rs 30 lakhs for publicity materials.

In order to maintain an edge over RJD supremo and Railway Minister Lalu Prasad, his arch rival and colleague and ensure participation of people in large numbers at his rally, Mr Paswan conducted a whirlwind tour of different areas and held public meetings at remote places.

Besides, the LJP was also concentrating on media publicity and advertising for the event and have spent Rs 3,12,000 for the purpose.

Meanwhile, prominent socialist leader Bhola Prasad Singh said, ''The expenditures made on the rallies by political leaders were simply a vulgar display of black money and said the cost for holding such rallies have touched around Rs 50 crore.'' CPI National Executive Member U N Mishra opined that instead of spending such a big amount only for ''show of strength in political arena'', the leaders should spend the money on development.

''Funds are continually being drained out in the name of rallies,'' he said and suggested the leaders should consider utilising the money for the benefit of the people.

UNI