Bihar 2020 election: Chirag Paswan is contesting the state election solo this time.
Days before Bihar’s election, the biggest since the start of the new coronavirus pandemic, Lok Janata party leader Chirag Paswan continued his attack on Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. This morning, he targeted the JDU chief over the state’s alcohol ban, a poll promise that was implemented after the 2015 state election.
“In the name of the ban on liqour, the inhabitants of Bihar are labeled as smugglers. The women of Bihar – the sisters and mothers – do not want their own people to turn into smugglers. Along with the chief minister of Bihar, all the other ministers know that the state sees an increase in the smuggling of alcohol amid rising unemployment … but it seems that everyone has taken a vow of silence ” , Chirag Paswan tweeted this morning.
Alcohol was banned in the state in 2016, months after Nitish Kumar was elected chief minister for the third term. According to the Chief Minister, the alcohol ban – which has also attracted praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the past – “has brought countless benefits and people’s quality of life has improved.”
Earlier this year, the JDU chief pleaded for a nationwide alcohol ban at an event in Delhi. “It (the alcohol ban) should not only be implemented in neighboring states but also across the country. It was Mahatma Gandhi’s wish, he said that alcohol destroys lives.” , Mr. Kumar had said.
Chirag Paswan, who this time is contesting the Bihar elections separately from the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), has constantly attacked Nitish Kumar, raising questions about his leadership and governance.
On Thursday, he suggested that Nitish Kumar realign himself with Lalu Prasad Yadav’s RJD which he abandoned a few years ago. “In the latest assembly polls, the respected @ NitishKumar became Chief Minister with the blessing of the respected @laluprasadrjd that he gave up and took over the presidency again with the blessing of the Prime Minister,” M Paswan.
“May he no longer rush to @laluprasadrjd, seek refuge, after receiving @narendramodi’s blessings,” he added.
Yesterday he launched a new, sharper threat to the Chief Minister. “I did not say that I will send Nitish Kumar to jail, but if I come to power, I will have the scams of his saat nishchay scheme investigated (seven resolutions) and anyone guilty will be sent to jail, even if he is the Chief Minister, ”party leader Lok Janshakti (LJP) told GalacticGaming.
Although BJP leaders in Bihar have criticized Paswan and even “warned” against using the prime minister in his campaign, Delhi leaders have been visibly reluctant to publicly denounce the LJP leader. There has been speculation for weeks that the BJP is secretly backing Mr. Paswan as a counterweight to keeping Nitish Kumar in check after the election results in Bihar.
Bihar is voting for a new assembly of 243 members on October 28, November 3 and 7. The results will be announced on November 10.
