"If the PM comes, INDIA Alliance will benefit," claims RJD candidate Misa Bharti
May 23, 2024
Patna (Bihar) [India], May 23 : Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Patliputra for the Lok Sabha election campaign, RJD candidate from the constituency, Misa Bharti took a dig at PM Modi and claimed that his visit will benefit INDIA bloc.
Lalu Prasad Yadav's eldest daughter Misa Bharti, who is enjoying her second term in the Rajya Sabha said that the people of Bihar have been deceived by PM Modi to the maximum extent.
"PM Modi is doing great that he is coming to Patliputra. He will lose even the remaining 5,000-10,000 votes that they were going to get. He has deceived the people of Bihar. It was said that Bihar would be given special status and special package and that factories would be set up here. If the PM comes, INDIA Alliance will benefit," said Misa Bharti.
Speaking about the achievements of RJD leader and former deputy chief minister Tejashwai Prasad Yadav, she slammed Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for not providing jobs to youths in his 17-year stint as CM of the state.
"Tejashwi Yadav has already provided jobs. Our uncle couldn't do it for 17 years but Tejashwi started giving 5 lakh jobs in just 17 months. There is trust and enthusiasm among people for Tejashwi due to the work done by him," said Misa Bharti.
A major factor in Bihar politics for well over two decades, Nitish has taken a hit following his repeated flip-flops. Across the state, voters criticised the Bihar CM and JD(U) chief over his political decision-making.
However, Nitish Kumar has built a base among women voters, with his schemes - bicycle scheme and fee waiver, etc. For BJP, schemes such as free rations are the most popular among women from Dalit and Extremely Backward Class (EBC) communities.
Tejashwi Yadav's campaign pitch has centred around the jobs created during his party's recent tenure in government -- over 4 lakh jobs during the party's 17-month stint in the government. According to him, especially the youth are voting for the RJD.
Misa Bharti will contest against BJP candidate Ram Kripal Yadav, who defeated her in the last elections.
While the Modi government's welfare schemes are popular with women, the RJD's jobs pitch has gained traction among the youth. Meanwhile, the question remains how much pull does the Bihar CM Nitish Kumar still wield?
Bihar will be polling in all seven phases of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, starting 19 April to June 1. Bihar sends 40 Lok Sabha MPs.
The first five phases of polling in Bihar were held on April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13 and May 20. The next two rounds of voting are scheduled to be held on May 25 and June 1.
The counting of votes for all phases in the state and elsewhere is scheduled for June 4.