In a candid interview, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ravi Shankar Prasad expressed strong confidence regarding the National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) prospects in the Bihar assembly polls. He framed the election as a clear choice between the NDA’s commitment to good governance and the lingering legacy of ‘jungle raj’ (lawlessness) associated with former Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav.
Prasad emphasized the visible progress in Bihar under the NDA’s leadership, crediting Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and the strong support from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He pointed to advancements in infrastructure, including roads and power, as well as the expansion of educational institutions and improved law and order as testaments to the alliance’s performance.
Slamming the opposition, Prasad specifically targeted Rahul Gandhi, labeling him a ‘political tourist’ whose comments on Prime Minister Modi were uncalled for and indicative of a lack of seriousness. He dismissed the opposition’s focus on issues like ‘vote-theft’ and ‘intruders’ as irrelevant when compared to the pressing need for jobs and development.
Addressing the Rashtriya Janata Dal’s (RJD) promise of government jobs for every family, Prasad questioned the feasibility, highlighting the stark contrast between the RJD’s past job delivery (94,000 jobs in 15 years) and the NDA’s achievements and future promises. He also defended the government’s initiatives for women’s empowerment, like the ₹10,000 grant for entrepreneurship, as genuine efforts to foster self-reliance, not mere electoral sops.
Prasad also defended the NDA’s decision to field Nitish Kumar as the chief ministerial candidate, praising his work ethic and the public’s trust in him, despite questions about his health and age. He contrasted this with the opposition’s internal disarray, noting their struggle to manage candidate selections.