Patna, Sep 1
On the concluding day of the Voter Adhikar Yatra in Patna, Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Bihar Assembly Tejashwi Yadav, on Monday, launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, accusing both of undermining democracy and conspiring with the Election Commission.
Addressing a huge public gathering, the LoP repeatedly asked the crowd: "Do you want the original CM or a duplicate CM? The choice is yours."
He said that Bihar, the "mother of democracy", would not allow the BJP's vote theft conspiracy to succeed.
"Two BJP leaders (PM Modi, Amit Shah), in collusion with the Election Commission, want to finish democracy in Bihar and the country. Do you want a monarchy or democracy? They are cheating the people of Bihar --setting up factories in Gujarat while seeking victory here. Such people must be given a befitting reply," he declared.
He also recalled his father Lalu Prasad Yadav's political legacy.
"Lalu Prasad Yadav got L.K. Advani arrested, his son Tejashwi would not be afraid of FIRs. Our God was born in jail. Lalu Prasad Yadav never bowed before them (BJP); Tejashwi will also not bow. We are keeping an eye on every corrupt officer, and once we come to power, action will be taken against them," LoP Tejashwi Yadav said.
Calling PM Modi a "factory of lies", Tejashwi raised slogans along with the crowd: "Desh ka bhoot, Modi ka jhoot."
Vikassheel Insaan Party chief Mukesh Sahani said the Voter Adhikar Yatra was only the beginning of a bigger struggle.
"When the country was under slavery, Independence came after 250 years of struggle. The Constitution then gave us the right to vote. Leaders should work for the people; otherwise, the public can change them. But PM Narendra Modi is not worried -- he wins not by votes, but by stealing them. This Yatra may be ending today, but the fight is not. We must go to every booth and make voters aware," Sahani added.
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren accused the Centre of misusing central agencies.
"The NDA government intimidates Opposition representatives through conspiracies, Enforcement Directorate, and Income Tax raids. They jailed me as part of a conspiracy -- otherwise, after our full majority in Jharkhand, they (NDA) wouldn't have been allowed to open their account in the Lok Sabha. This vote theft is not new, but Rahul Gandhi has exposed it before the nation," Soren said.
CPI-ML General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya linked "vote theft" to earlier economic shocks.
"Just as demonetisation broke the backbone of India's economy, today an attempt is being made to destroy the democratic system of India through vote theft. That is why we launched the Voter Adhikar Yatra in Bihar, raising the slogan: 'Vote Chor – Gaddi Chhod'."
— IANS
Reader Comments
While I appreciate the opposition raising concerns about democracy, some of these allegations seem exaggerated. The Election Commission has generally been fair in Bihar elections. We should focus on issues rather than rhetoric.
Aman W
"Desh ka bhoot, Modi ka jhoot" - this slogan says it all! 😄 Finally someone speaking truth to power. The way central agencies are being misused against opposition leaders is shameful. Democracy is indeed under threat.
As an observer, I find Indian politics fascinating. The voter awareness campaigns are crucial for any democracy. Hope Bihar sets an example of informed voting regardless of which party wins.
Tejashwi talking about his father's legacy while Bihar still suffers from the jungle raj days? Irony died a thousand deaths. We need development, not dynasty politics. BJP might have flaws but at least there's some development work happening.
The real issue is that common people are suffering while politicians fight. Prices are rising, jobs are scarce, and healthcare is inadequate. Instead of yatras, they should focus on solving these basic problems. ðŸ™
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