Patna (Bihar) [India], November 1 : Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday responded to Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi's poll speech, saying that in the last 11 years, the country as well as Bihar has observed a "historic" progress under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
Speaking to ANI, Goyal emphasised that the "double-engine" government is poised to return to power once again in Bihar, which is going to the polls on November 6.
"I had a detailed discussion with industrialists just now. Everyone believed that during the joint tenure of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Bihar, in the last 11 years, there has been historic progress in the country as well as Bihar," Goyal said.
The senior BJP leader noted that Bihar is moving forward on the path of progress, and the people will vote the NDA to power.
"I think Bihar is on the right track. PM Modi had stated that the development of eastern states will be his priority. With the development done in Bihar during the last 11 years, the double-engine government is poised to return to power once again...People of the state know the truth, and they will vote for NDA," Goyal said.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday accused the BJP-led government in Bihar of failing to address unemployment, corruption, and women's welfare, alleging that it tried to influence voters by distributing Rs 10,000 ahead of polling for the Assembly elections.
While addressing a public rally in Bachhwara, Begusarai, Priyanka Gandhi said, "... When the public becomes aware, politicians who live in palaces and focus on brandishing their image begin to feel afraid. That is why they resort to vote theft... Youth are unemployed, and corruption is prevailing in Bihar... All the factories you see in Bihar were Congress' initiatives; institutions like IIT and AIIMS were built by Jawaharlal Nehru..."
"We demand equality in society to end the exploitation of minorities... They did nothing for women in Bihar, but distributed Rs 10,000 just before the elections. Their intentions are not good. Cast your vote wisely, it is your right and a matter of self-respect," she said.
Voting for the 243-seat Bihar Assembly will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11. The results will be declared on November 14.