NDA preparing to 'steal' Bihar polls just like Haryana: Priyanka
Motihari/Sitamarhi/Madhubani (PTI): Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday alleged that the NDA was "preparing to steal" the assembly polls in Bihar, "just like they did in Haryana".
Addressing back-to-back public rallies in Sitamarhi, East Champaran and Madhubani districts, the Congress general secretary alleged that the Election Commission (EC) was "colluding with the government to weaken our Constitution and democratic rights".
"Just like they stole the entire election in Haryana, they are preparing to do the same in Bihar by deleting 65 lakh votes from the rolls," she said.
The Haryana assembly polls last year were "stolen", Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged on Wednesday, citing electoral list data to claim that 25 lakh entries were fake and the Election Commission colluded with the BJP to ensure the party's victory.
The elaborate plan included a Brazilian model whose photograph was used 22 times in 10 booths in the Rai assembly constituency during the 2024 assembly elections, the former Congress president said at a press conference during which he put up a presentation to back his claim.
Vadra challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah to conduct free and fair elections. "Then we will see who wins," she said.
"Rahul Gandhi's fight is for you and truth; he is fighting the same battle that Mahatma Gandhi once fought," she asserted.
Vadra claimed that those who are "betraying" this country will "not be forgotten" by the people.
The Congress leader charged CEC Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Vivek Joshi and S S Sandhu with "mocking the Constitution and democracy of India".
"If you think you will lead a convenient life after retirement, that is not going to happen," she said.
She alleged that the NDA government has no respect for the people of Bihar, who have contributed immensely to the development of the nation.
"Even your CM Nitish Kumar is controlled from New Delhi. There is a single-engine government in Bihar, which is turned 'on' and 'off' by Modi ji at the Centre. The PM does not even share the stage with Nitish ji during election rallies, which is a disrespect to Bihar and Biharis," she asserted.
Vadra alleged that the NDA government has shut the avenues of employment in agriculture, industry, government jobs and factories, forcing people to migrate out of the state and leave their wives alone "to bear the burden of struggle".
She claimed that while common people in Bihar spend their lifetime repaying the interests of the loans they take in emergency situations, "the loans of corporates and business houses are waived off".
"BJP leaders urge people to vote for the NDA in the name of religion, and not for development. If this election is free and fair, the people of Bihar will uproot this government and vote for one that will work for the poor, women and the youth," she said.
Slamming the NDA government for "poor infrastructure" in the state, the Congress leader also claimed that "27 bridges have collapsed in the last three years" in Bihar.
Taking a dig at Narendra Modi, Vadra said, "He is the prime minister of India. Does he not have any other work than measuring the size of opposition leaders' images on posters?"
She was ostensibly alluding to the remarks of the PM wherein he pointed out the "omission of Lalu Yadav's image from RJD's posters and banners".
The Congress leader alleged that the BJP assented to a caste-based census out of fear of defeat following the 2024 general elections, adding that now "they have put its implementation in cold storage".
If the INDIA bloc government comes to power, it will introduce 30 per cent reservation for EBCs and 20 per cent for SCs in panchayats and civic bodies, she claimed.
"The INDIA bloc government will give people of Bihar free health coverage of Rs 25 lakh, reduce the cost of cooking gas cylinder to Rs 500, provide Rs 2,500 per month to women, and give three-five decimals of land or a house in the name of female members of each poor household," she claimed.
The Congress leader also said that pensions for the elderly and widows will be increased to Rs 1,500, promising that an increment of Rs 200 will be made each year, while pensions for persons with disabilities will be Rs 3,000.
She also promised a guarantee of MSP to farmers alongside the introduction of the Mandi system.
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Was almost declared corrupt, won't get justice: Kejriwal tells HC judge seeking her recusal
New Delhi (PTI): Former chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday told Delhi High Court judge Swarana Kanta Sharma that her earlier decisions in the liquor policy cases "almost declared" him guilty and corrupt, and that he apprehends he would not get justice if she continues to hear CBI's plea against his discharge.
Appearing before Justice Sharma to argue his application seeking her to withdraw from the case, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor contended that under the law on recusal, the question is not of a judge's integrity or uprightness, but of "reasonable bias" in the mind of the litigant.
Kejriwal claimed that except for the CBI's petition and one other case involving a political opponent of the BJP, no other case before Justice Sharma was being heard at the same "speed" and there was a "trend" of the court "endorsing" the investigating agencies' arguments.
He submitted that on the first day of the hearing on March 9, the court "neutralised" the discharge order, which was passed by the trial judge after day-to-day arguments of over three months, by passing a "sweeping, ex parte order" in haste in violation of principles of natural justice.
On February 27, the trial court discharged Kejriwal, Sisodia and 21 others and pulled up the CBI, saying its case was wholly unable to survive judicial scrutiny and stood discredited in its entirety.
On March 9, Justice Sharma issued notice to all 23 accused on CBI's plea against their discharge, saying certain observations and findings of the trial court at the stage of framing of charges prima facie appeared erroneous and needed consideration.
She also stayed the trial court's recommendation on the initiation of departmental action against the CBI's investigating officer in the liquor policy case.
"I was shocked and I had some apprehension about whether the court is biased and will I get justice. What was the urgency for this? What was the need for this?" Kejriwal said during the hearing.
He objected to the stay on departmental action against the CBI official as well as the deferment of proceedings on the ED case.
"This was a CBI petition. The ED has nothing to do with it. The ED is not even a party. There was no written prayer. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta only made an oral demand," he said.
Kejriwal said that Justice Sharma had earlier denied relief to him on his petition challenging his arrest, as well as bail pleas by other accused, including Manish Sisodia and K Kavitha, and also made "strong and conclusive" findings.
"I was almost declared guilty. I was almost declared corrupt. Kewal saza sunani baaki reh gayi thi (Only sentence was left to be pronounced)," he said.
"The court almost said (in Manish Sisodia's bail order that) all these guys are corrupt. They are 'maha corrupt'. Only three hearings and a conclusion was drawn that Manish was a very corrupt man," Kejriwal stated.
He emphasised that in the discharge order, the trial court has given findings that are in "stark contrast" to what the high court has earlier ruled on several critical issues, including admissibility of approver statements, and questioned if Justice Sharma would be able to change her view.
He also objected to Justice Sharma attending four functions organised by the Akhil Bharatiya Adhivakta Parishad. He contended that being an ideological opponent of the BJP and RSS, he apprehended that the judge "sympathised" with their ideology and that he would not receive justice.
As Justice Sharma asked Kejriwal if she had made any ideological or political statements in the events, the AAP chief said her attendance was enough.
Kejriwal also highlighted that Home Minister Amit Shah has said in programme that the AAP chief would have to approach the Supreme Court against the high court's decision.
"What control do I have over what he says?" the judge said.
Kejriwal also alleged that Justice Sharma has a conflict of interest in the case.
He concluded arguments on his recusal application.
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