Infighting and discord plague Oppn, says PM

The Opposition was marred by infighting, with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) strong-arming the Congress into accepting their candidate as the INDIA bloc’s chief ministerial face, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday as he intensified his attack on the Grand Alliance ahead of the first phase of voting in Bihar.

- Arun Kumar

Speaking at back-to-back rallies in Bhojpur and Nawada districts, Modi accused the two key Opposition parties of plotting against each other, contrasting this with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which he said was united in its efforts. He also described the INDIA bloc’s manifesto as a “document of lies” and praised the NDA’s document as a blueprint for Bihar's development." "The Congress never wanted to announce the chief ministerial candidate in favour of the RJD.

The RJD secured it by placing a 'katta' [homemade gun] on the head of the Congress. They have learnt their lessons in the school of 'jungle raj.[lawlessness]," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in Arrah. His remarks were in reference to the Opposition alliance naming RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav as its chief ministerial candidate in the last week of October to present a united front after weeks of infighting over seats.

Without naming Congress's Rahul Gandhi or Yadav, Modi added, "The crown prince of 'jungle raj' [lawlessness] has been wary that the 'Voter Adhikar Yatra' of the other 'yuvraj' may be denting his own prospects. Hence, the RJD has put up its candidate against the state president of the Congress.