Oppn bloc will be wiped out on Nov 14, says Shah

Union home minister Amit Shah on Monday stepped up his attack against the Opposition Grand Alliance by claiming that the parties of Rahul Gandhi and Lalu Prasad would be “wiped out by 1pm on November 14”, when results for the upcoming Bihar elections are set to be announced.

- Subhash Pathak

“On November 14, the counting of ballot papers will begin at 8 AM, your votes will start being counted by 9 AM, and by 1PM, the parties of Lalu and Rahul will be wiped out. The NDA will form the government. The ‘Mahathugbandhan’ is scattered, while the NDA stands united like the Pandavas,” Shah said while addressing a rally in Sheohar.

He added: “The Mahagath-bandhan lacks a leader, policy or even seat clarity.”

In Sitamarhi, Shah reiterated the promise of the overhaul of the Sita temple in the district. “Its consecration will coincide with the launching of the Vande Bharat Express to Ayodhya, channelling pilgrims and tourism revenue to Bihar,” he said, adding that ₹5,000 crore will be spent on doubling the Ayodhya-Sitamarhi rail track.

Shah said the Mithilanchal region will be developed as a global knowledge centre at a cost of ₹500 crore, and the Sitamarhi-Ayodhya Ramjanaki Path will be built for ₹550 crore.

He further promised a defence corridor and factories in the state. “We will establish a defence corridor in the state, and set up factories in each district in addition to building MSME and industrial parks...