Bihar: NDA launches joint campaign for Council poll

Hajipur (Bihar), Jun 30: The BJP along with its two NDA associates today began a joint campaign for election to 24 seats of Legislative Council slated for July 7, which is billed as semi-final before Assembly polls later this year.

Union Minister and LJP President Ramvilas Paswan, senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi and Union Minister and Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP) chief Upendra Kushwaha shared dais here to launch the joint campaign in favour of LJP nominee Ajay Kushwaha in the Council poll from local bodies.

Accusing the Bihar government of ignoring local bodies, the three leaders launched a blistering attack at Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and RJD President Lalu Prasad.

Paswan came down heavily on Kumar saying lynching of a school director proves that it is a "jungle raj" in Bihar under Nitish Kumar.

On the alliance between Prasad and Kumar, Paswan said "Lalu may have drunk the poison of Nitish, but the people of Bihar will not do it at any cost."

He took a dig at RJD chief for repeatedly calling him a "weather scientist" and said, "It is forecast of the same weather scientist that NDA would come to power in Bihar with two-third majority."

Sushil Modi slammed the JD(U) government for neglecting local bodies and its elected representatives and promised to double the allowance of ward members from Rs 500 daily to Rs 1,000 if NDA comes to power.

Besides, the ward members would have the privilege to recommend one hand pump, he said.

Sushil Modi also decried Nalanda lynching of a school director and said it proved right the apprehension of return of "jungle raj" in the state.

Union minister of state and RLSP leader Upendra Kushwaha said the condition of local bodies in the state are poor and mentioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's emphasis on development of villages.

PTI