Patna (Bihar) [India], October 18 : Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on Saturday took a dig at Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi by saying that he is travelling abroad, touring the country, but not coming to Bihar ahead of the Bihar assembly elections.
Speaking to reporters, UP DyCM said, "Rahul Gandhi is travelling abroad, touring the country, but not coming to Bihar. Tejashwi Yadav is insulting his alliance partner. So whatever is happening, I believe it is good for Bihar. The people who would have given them 20, 25 seats, perhaps now they will crave for that too."
Earlier today, Chirag Paswan-led Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) on Saturday attacked the Mahagathbandhan over reports of Tejashwi Yadav as Bihar's Chief Ministerial candidate, saying even the alliance has not confirmed it.
Chirag Paswan met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Patna to discuss strategies for securing key constituencies ahead of the 243-seat Bihar Assembly elections, scheduled for November 6 and 11, with counting on November 14.
Speaking to reporters, Paswan added that a coalition plagued by internal clashes cannot deliver development, warning that the people will not accept such leadership ahead of the state elections.
"Who says Tejashwi Yadav's name (as CM candidate) is confirmed when even the Alliance is not saying that Tejashwi is confirmed. The people will not accept them. An alliance which has so many internal clashes cannot develop Bihar," he said.
Meanwhile, the Congress party released its first list of 48 candidates for the upcoming Bihar Legislative Assembly elections.
According to an official statement from Thursday, Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief Rajesh Ram will contest from the Kutumba Assembly seat, while Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Shakeel Ahmed Khan will fight from the Kadwa constituency.
Out of the total 48 candidates, 24 will be contested in the first phase of elections and 24 in the second phase. The party said that the remaining names will be announced in due course.
The list, approved by the Central Election Committee (CEC), includes Jayesh Mangal Singh from Bagaha, Amit Giri from Nautan, Abhishek Ranjan from Chanpatia, Wasi Ahmed from Bettiah, Amit Kumar Singh 'Tunna' from Riga, Chandan Yadav from Khagaria, and Ajeet Kumar Sharma from Bhagalpur.