Patna (Bihar) [India], November 5 : Ahead of the first phase of Bihar Assembly elections tomorrow, Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan on Wednesday expressed confidence in his party's prospects, saying that "NDA will form the government with a historic win". He also urged the electorate to cast their votes.
Speaking to ANI, Paswan said, "We are calm and composed. We have full faith in our hard work. We will form the government with a historic win. I urge every Bihari to vote."
Meanwhile, a day before the first phase of polling in Bihar, Janata Dal (United) leader Rajeev Ranjan Prasad on Wednesday stated that Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's allegations ahead of the Bihar elections were aimed at creating "confusion" among the voters.
The JDU leader termed the allegations made by the Congress leader a "recurring pattern" that has emerged after a series of electoral losses in states like Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and others. He further mentioned that Rahul Gandhi has not furnished an affidavit to the Election Commission to back up his claims.
While talking to ANI, JD(U) leader Rajeev Ranjan Prasad said, "This is a recurring pattern where, after electoral losses, he questions the Election Commission's decisions and alleges irregularities in various states like Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra. As you may recall, based on the data from CDSS, he alleged irregularities in the Maharashtra elections, which led to legal actions against him. Despite the Election Commission of India asking for affidavits to support these claims, Rahul Gandhi avoids providing them."
He further said, "His recent allegations ahead of the Bihar elections aim to create doubt among voters, though it is believed that these claims won't significantly impact the NDA's expected victory under Nitish Kumar's leadership."
This comment of JDU leader came after Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday urged India's Gen Z and youth to safeguard the country's democratic process while addressing allegations of large-scale voter fraud in Haryana. Rahul Gandhi claimed a plan was set in motion to turn a predicted Congress victory into a loss.
While addressing a press conference, 'H files', Rahul Gandhi said, "I want the young people of India, Gen Z, to understand this clearly. Because this is about your future. Your future is being destroyed. So it's important that you listen and you watch. I'm questioning the Election Commission and the democratic process in India. So I'm doing it with 100 per cent proof. We are pretty sure that a plan was put in motion to convert Congress' landslide victory (in Haryana) into a loss."
Just a day before the polling for the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections, he said his team has clear proof that around 25 lakh voters in the state are either duplicate, nonexistent, or manipulated.
Meanwhile, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju also criticised Rahul Gandhi's claims, alleging that the Haryana issue is being fabricated to divert attention from the Bihar elections.
Rijiju emphasised that one has to accept both victory and defeat in a democracy.
The first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections on 121 constituencies will be conducted tomorrow. The remaining 122 constituencies will vote in the second phase on November 11. Counting will take place on November 14.