BJP confident about NDA's massive victory in Bihar, says there was 'one-sided wave'
New Delhi (PTI): The BJP on Tuesday exuded confidence about the NDA winning the Bihar Assembly polls with a "massive majority", while asserting that there was a "one-sided wave" among the electorate in favour of the state's incumbent alliance.
As the two-phase polling in Bihar concluded on Tuesday evening, Exit Polls predicted a big victory for the NDA, with the Mahagathbandhan a distant second. They also predicted a disappointing show by Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj in its debut outing, forecasting a range of 0-5 seats for it in the 243-member Assembly.
"In this election, the voters of Bihar have demonstrated unprecedented enthusiasm. The proof of this is the historically recorded voter turnout (sic). This is also a testament to the unwavering faith of the people of Bihar in their democratic consciousness," said Dharmendra Pradhan, the BJP's Bihar polls in-charge, in a post on X.
"The way mothers, sisters, youth, and all sections of society have participated in this election makes it clear that Bihar is once again going to choose the NDA for the continuity of development, good governance, stability, peace, and prosperity. Once again, thanks and congratulations to all," the Union minister added.
Asked to comment about the Exit Polls, BJP national spokesperson Syed Shahnawaz Hussain told PTI Videos, "No matter what any poll says... The BJP-NDA is going to win the election with at least 160 seats. There was a one-sided wave (in favour of NDA)."
Women, who came out in large numbers, voted for the NDA, he claimed
"We are fully hopeful that the BJP-NDA will win the election with a massive majority and once again form a government," the former Union minister claimed.
Hussain said the BJP and NDA worked hard during the elections, while the RJD and the Congress kept fighting among themselves.
Asked about the Jan Suraaj party, the BJP leader said it was only visible on social media and not on the ground. "It will be a big thing if Jan Suraaj even opens its account (wins at least one seat in the election)," he added.
Bihar recorded its highest-ever voter turnout of 67.14 per cent, provisionally, at the close of polling in the second and final phase of the high-stakes assembly elections, seen as a referendum on the state's longest-serving Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
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National Herald case: Shivakumar to seek time next week to appear before Delhi police
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."
