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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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."
