Sasaram (PTI): Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday accused the BJP of failing to fulfil its promises in Bihar, asserting that if voted to power, the INDIA bloc government will implement whatever it has promised in its manifesto.

Addressing a public rally in Chenari assembly segment, Kharge alleged, "Modi ji does not hesitate to lie; his friend Amit Shah is also like him.”

"Modi ji said a katta (countrymade handgun) was put on Congress' temple by the RJD to steal the CM candidature from the Congress. Actually, it is the BJP which is the real thief," he added.

He also accused the BJP of misleading the people, claiming that the party has failed to deliver on commitments such as providing Rs 2 crore annually to farmers and one crore houses for the poor.

"Modi ji said he will give Rs 2 crore each year to farmers. Did he? No. He said he will give 1 crore houses to the poor. Did he? No," the Congress leader claimed.

Kharge also criticised the NDA leadership for targeting former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, saying, "Nehru ji gave the country HMT, BHEL and many other factories and industries. But the BJP has only erected an army of RSS to run the country on the basis of Manusmriti."

Kharge claimed that the Congress is "committed to safeguarding democracy, justice and fraternity" and that it works for "farmers, Dalits, women and backward classes" instead of focussing on "securing the chair."

"Nitish ji gave women a debt of Rs 10,000 and asked for votes in return. What is he actually concerned with - votes or uplift of women?", Kharge asked.

He alleged that there has been no development in Bihar in 20 years of Nitish Kumar's rule.

Kharge said the INDIA bloc has decided to make Tejashwi Yadav the chief minister to curb unemployment, stop outmigration, and ensure rural development.

He pledged that an INDIA bloc government would provide a job in every household, regularise Jeevika workers, give Rs 2,500 monthly to women, and provide 200 units of free electricity.

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New Delhi/Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday said he will ask for time from Delhi police to appear before them next week, to provide required information as part of the probe into the National Herald case.

He said he will seek time after the ongoing winter session of Karnataka legislature ends on December 19. He will also ask the Delhi police to provide him the FIR copy.

Shivakumar, who is in the national capital, had earlier said that he will appear before the Delhi police on Monday. But, he postponed the plan in order to rush back to Karnataka to participate in the last rites of veteran Congress leader Shamanuru Shivashankarappa, scheduled later in the day in Davangere.

"I had to go (to appear before the Delhi police), but I have to go back urgently. I'm asking them for time, stating that I will come next week," Shivakumar told reporters in New Delhi.

"They (Delhi police) have not attached the FIR copy while issuing notice to me. I need FIR copy, because we had already given all the required replies to the ED. I don't know what the FIR says, I only read in papers. They have given notice, I will ask for a FIR copy. I will come next week after the Assembly session."

The Delhi Police had issued a notice to Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Congress chief, seeking financial and transactional details as part of its probe into the National Herald case.

The notice issued by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) states that Shivakumar is "supposed to be having vital information" pertaining to the National Herald case registered on October 3 this year, against top Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.

In the notice dated November 29, the EOW had asked Shivakumar to appear before it or provide the requested information by December 19 latest.

Investigators have sought details about his personal background, his association with the Congress party, and a complete break up of funds allegedly transferred by him or associated entities to Young Indian.

To a question on meeting AICC General Secretaries K C Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala, amid the ongoing power tussle between him and CM Siddaramaiah over the Chief Minister post, Shivakumar said when he comes to Delhi, he usually meets every one.

"Whether it is Surjewala or Kharge (AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge) or Venugopal, I will meet everyone. During lunch yesterday I met Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. I have met everyone. What's wrong?" he asked.

Shivakumar was in Delhi to take part in Congress' "Vote Chori" rally on Sunday, and had also participated in the lunch organised by the party for its leaders.

Responding to a question, whether any meeting is planned with leaders today, the Deputy CM said, he and Kharge will be travelling together to Karnataka, to pay last respects to Shamanuru Shivashankarappa.

Asked if he will seek time for a separate meeting with Congress leadership including Rahul Gandhi, during the next visit to Delhi, Sivakumar said, "such things will be there between us in the party.... you don't worry."