On Tuesday, Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan launched a sharp attack against the Mahagathbandhan hours before the release of the Opposition coalition's manifesto, accusing it of hoodwinking voters with "unrealistic" vows and "impractical" plans.
Paswan questions opposition's job promises
As per an ANI report, Paswan attacked the reported assurance of the alliance for giving government jobs to almost 2.5 crore families in Bihar as economically unsustainable. In an interview with the media persons at Patna, he reiterated that it would take more than ₹7 lakh crore to execute such a scheme, which was much higher than the state's present annual budget of ₹3 lakh crore.
Paswan said, "What's the big deal in making announcements if you know that you are not going to be in power? What is the basis for those announcements? On the one hand, you claim that one of your biggest announcements is that we will provide government jobs to every family. What is the budget of Bihar? It's ₹3 lakh crore. Even if you calculate the bare minimum salary, you'll need at least ₹7-9 lakh crore to provide government jobs to approximately 2.5 crore families. Where will that budget come from?”
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The Union Minister accused the Opposition, which is being led by Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav, of giving empty promises without having a roadmap for raising revenue or enhancing the income of the state.
"How will you fulfil all the other announcements you've made? Paswan said. Going on the attack, Paswan blamed Yadav and his friends for deceiving people with unfeasible promises. "When you are releasing your manifesto, please explain the path forward. How do you plan to increase the state's revenue? The LoP knows that if they don't have to come to power, what's the harm in lying? What's the harm in making big promises?" he remarked.
Paswan performs Chhath puja, launches campaign
Earlier in the day, Paswan performed Chhath Puja rituals at his Patna residence and sought blessings for the people of Bihar.
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Paswan said, "Chhathi Maiya has given me so much without asking. May the blessing of Chhathi Maiya be bestowed upon every person, every family in Bihar and the country." Associating the festival with election time, Paswan said the "festival of democracy" would now move into its peak cycle as campaigning picks up. He was confident that the outcome would be in favour of his party and the people of Bihar.
Opposition to release manifesto
This comes just a day before Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to kick off his election campaign in Bihar.
According to a report by ANI, the alliance sources said, the Mahagathbandhan, which includes the Congress, RJD, and Left parties, will likely release its common manifesto in Patna later today. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra would also initiate the campaign of the party after the Chhath celebrations, sources in the alliance informed.
