Nitish starts a ‘weighty’ campaign
Says people call him ‘Quintalia Baba’ for giving loads of relief material; and a lengthy one too
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar kicked off the JD(U)’s campaign for the assembly elections claiming that people call him “Quintalia Baba” for distributing quintals of foodgrains to the families of migrant workers and flood-affected people.
Addressing a virtual rally for nearly 3 hours on Monday, Nitish listed the achievements during the 15 years of his rule as he drew a comparison with the decade-and-half of Lalu-Rabri government. Irrigation Minister Sanjay Kumar Jha, who was with the CM, backed the ‘weighty’ claim saying free ration will be given to the people till November.
Nitish listed said Bihar improved from power to road to water under his leadership. Crimes are also reducing as the state has been placed at 33rd position in rape, 29th on crimes against women and 23rd on kidnapping, he said.
Terming the Lalu regime “Jungle Raj”, he said, “Once Lalu Prasad went to jail, people are feeling liberated and free.” Nitish said social media was being misused to campaign against him and his government.
He said he too once asked his irrigation minister to write ten tweets and release them daily.
The CM said he realised the futility of the exercise after seeing responses on five tweets and cancelled the remaining.
Speaking for the first time through the digital dedicated platform to the electorate all over the state, Nitish said Bihar fought successfully against the coronavirus and it was because of the success in controlling the virus, the Election Commission decided to conduct the polls. He said he was the first to alert the nation about the spread of the pandemic.
He reiterated his commitment on three fronts–not to compromise on corruption, crime and communalism. There was no mention of BJP or LJP or other alliance partners in the NDA.