New Delhi, October 18
Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson and senior Janata Dal (United) leader Harivansh has slammed the allegations being made by Congress and other opposition parties about "vote chori" and Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar, saying "where they get a majority, that system is fine, but when they don't, it's bad".
In an interview with ANI, he also said that some people want to weaken the country's institutions.
Asked about some rumblings during the process of ticket distribution in Bihar, which will go for a two-phased election next month, Harivansh said there is a varied opinion within the family too and political parties display the ability to work together.
"Even within a family, there are different opinions, so these are political parties... The ability to work together even as a collective is an amazing ability," he said.
Asked about "vote chori" allegations, opposition's criticism of the manner SIR was held and its charges of about 60 lakh voters having been taken out the electoral rolls in Bihar and a level-playing field having been destroyed, Harivansh said there was attempts at disinformation and there are "some people who want to weaken the want to weaken the country's institutions and when you go outside, you realise it".
He said questions are being raised when things are being done transparently, noting that the judiciary is a vital watchdog.
"When you win in Karnataka, when you get majority in other places, then the ballot is fine, the system is fine, but when they don't get, it's bad...," he said.
Harivansh noted that the country has seen rapid progress in recent years.
Answering another query, he said Nitish Kumar is the face at the state level, and PM Modi has international recognition and popularity in the country.
"Whatever is true about the Prime Minister at the national level is true for Nitish Kumar in Bihar... Today, no party in Bihar has a leader like Nitish Kumar's stature," he said.
Congress and some other opposition parties have been levelling "vote chori" allegations with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi repeatedly raking up the issue in his public meetings.
Opposition parties have also been critical of the manner in which the SIR was conducted by the Election Commission in Bihar.
The Election Commission has said that SIR will be held all over the country.
Bihar Assembly elections will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11, with results to be declared on November 14.
As per the NDA seat-sharing arrangement, the BJP and JD(U) will contest 101 seats each, while the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) will contest 29 seats. The Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) and Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) will contest six seats each.
The last date of filing nominations for the first phase of polling in Bihar ended on Friday.
- ANI
Reader Comments
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.