GA to secure majority and form govt in state: Rahul

Bhagalpur: In a scathing attack on the BJP and an oblique reference to the Election Commission of India (ECI), Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday alleged large-scale electoral fraud in recent polls, describing it as “vote chori”.Rahul claimed that the Congress has gathered evidence of “vote chori” in the Haryana and other state assembly polls and accused the ECI of ignoring the issue. Expressing confidence that the people of Bihar would resist any such irregularities, he said, “Bihar badla ja sakta hai… hum badlenge Bihar” (it is possible to bring changes in Bihar… we will ensure positive changes in Bihar).Alleging that cases of “vote chori” were also emerging from Bihar, Rahul said those responsible for safeguarding the electoral rights of citizens had “turned a blind eye towards the theft of your votes and future.”The Congress leader made these remarks during election rallies held at Amarpur in Banka district, Bhagalpur and Kahalgaon. He said Bihar would rise and prosper under the Mahagathbandhan (GA) once it came to power, adding that the alliance would secure a majority in the assembly elections and form the govt.Describing Bihar as “a land of knowledge” with ancient seats of learning like Nalanda and Vikramshila Mahavihara, Rahul accused successive NDA govts of neglecting the state’s development.

“Progress has taken a backseat in Bihar,” he said, adding that the GA would “ensure the development of Bihar and connect its ancient institutions with a tourist circuit to make the state a global tourist hub.”Referring to local products such as makhana and other farm produce, Rahul said, “We will establish food processing industries to promote agricultural products, boost the tussar industry and strengthen educational institutions and health services in Bihar.”He said the Mahagathbandhan’s goal was to promote ‘Made in Bihar’ products across India and globally, replacing ‘Made in China’ goods. “Industrial establishments will generate employment for the youth, making them and the state self-reliant,” he added.Rahul also criticised PM Narendra Modi and the NDA govt for “favouring large industrial houses while neglecting the poor”. Without naming anyone, he alluded to prominent business figures, saying the NDA govt had “done nothing for the poor and downtrodden, including not waiving loans of farmers and small borrowers.” He accused PM Narendra Modi, CM Nitish Kumar and Union home minister Amit Shah of “turning Bihar into a labourers’ colony of India,” referring to the large number of Bihari workers employed across the country.“Why is it that the home minister’s son, Jay Shah, who does not even know how to hold a cricket bat, has become an authority in the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and other associations?” he asked.