Why EC allowed distribution of scheme funds during Bihar polls? asks Pawar
Pune (PTI): NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar on Saturday said the entrepreneurship scheme for women played a role in the victory of the NDA in the Bihar elections, even as he wondered how the Election Commission allowed distribution of funds during the poll process.
A day after the BJP-JD(U) combine won a landslide victory in the polls, Pawar said the BJP and JD (U) leader Nitish Kumar will jointly decide the chief minister's name.
"The outcome of the Bihar polls was not different from what was predicted by (Chief Minister) Nitish Kumar. Women took the election into their hands. I had earlier felt that a scheme under which Rs 10,000 is deposited in bank accounts of women had generated a favourable effect (for NDA)", Pawar told reporters in Baramati.
He was referring to the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana, which distributes money to a woman member of each family for setting up a business.
He wondered how the poll body allowed the distribution of money under the scheme during elections.
"The Election Commission should think if the money distribution (by the Bihar government under the scheme) was correct", the veteran politician said and raised concerns over the possible implementation of the Bihar template in future elections.
"During the Maharashtra polls too, the amount (under Ladki Bahin Scheme) was officially credited to the accounts of women. If ruling parties use a similar method in elections, it will hamper the trust of the people as well as the election process", he added.
Pawar evaded a direct answer to queries on possible alliances between the NCP (SP) and the NCP led by his estranged nephew and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar for the upcoming elections to local bodies.
"I don't know about talks (on alliance between the two factions of NCP) taking place in any districts. As per discussions held in the NCP (SP), local leaders will take a call (on forging alliance) during the Nagar Panchayat and Panchayat Samiti polls," he added.
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Kane scores hat trick and Bayern extends Bundesliga lead to 11 points
Berlin (AP): Harry Kane was substituted in at the hour mark and still had enough time to score a hat trick on Saturday.
The England captain took his goal tally for Bayern Munich this season to 28 and the defending champions extended their lead to 11 points after thrashing Stuttgart 5-0 on the road.
Second-placed Leipzig later hosted Eintracht Frankfurt.
With Kane on the bench, Konrad Laimer took on the scoring duties and produced a superb finish. The Austria midfielder collected a long ball and combined with Michael Olise before slotting home from close range with a subtle backheel past goalkeeper Alexander Nübel in the 11th minute.
Kane made it 2-0 with a low shot into the bottom corner and Josip Stanišic added his name to the scoresheet. Kane added further luster to the win from the penalty spot after Stuttgart was reduced to 10 men for Lorenz Assignon using his arm to clear a ball in the 81st.
Kane completed the rout with a flick from an Olise cross with two minutes left. He has found the net five more times with England this season, taking his total to 33 goals for club and country.
Stuttgart had chances before halftime but lacked a cutting edge. Midfielder Nikolas Nartey thought he equalized only for his goal to be ruled out for offside after a VAR check.
Bayern Munich is unbeaten in 16 league and cup games against German opposition this season.
Other results
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Bayer Leverkusen suffered a fourth loss, 2-0 at Augsburg.
Defender Dimitrios Giannoulis put the host in front after six minutes then turned provider to set up forward Anton Kade. Leverkusen, which hit the woodwork, remained in fourth place, 14 points behind Bayern.
Wolfsburg scored from all of its shots on target and moved four points clear of the relegation zone after beating Union Berlin 3-1. Heidenheim defeated Freiburg 2-1. Cologne and St. Pauli drew 1-1.
