Bihar CM Exclusive: RJD’s Fame a Sham; BJP’s Job Promise Realistic

From Chirag Paswan’s ‘publicity stunts’ to Munger violence: Nitish Kumar in an exclusive chat with Sanjay Pugalia

With Assembly elections underway in Bihar, catch The Quint here, in an exclusive conversation with chief minister Nitish Kumar at 7:30 pm on Sunday, 1 November.

(Photo: The Quint)

“A lot of people talk about me in a very bad way. They feel they will get publicity by saying bad things about me,” said Nitish Kumar in an exclusive interview with The Quint.

With Assembly elections underway in Bihar, The Quint’s editorial director Sanjay Pugalia spoke to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday, 1 November.

Nitish Kumar also mentioned that a lot of people were angry with him because his government had banned alcohol in the state.

ON TEJASHWI YADAV AND JDU

On being asked about the popularity of RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and the huge crowd in his rallies, Nitish Kumar said that RJD’s popularity was a mere illusion. He also made a jibe on his estranged friend Lalu’s apparent popularity in 2005 and 2010.

“It is an illusion that Tejaswhi’s rallies pull large crowds. You look at the history, since 1995, Tejashwi’s jailed father’s party always pulled crowds. But you saw what happened in 2005, 2010. How does the density of the crowd even matter?’   

Nitish Kumar

ON CHIRAG PASWAN AND LJP

Speaking about LJP leader Chirag Paswan, Nitish Kumar alleged that Paswan and his party were attacking him for publicity.

“Chirag Paswan’s LJP and others are attacking me to gain publicity. Voters will show them the door”

Nitish Kumar

While the LJP is a part of the NDA at the centre, it is contesting elections solo in the state.

ON UNEMPLOYMENT IN BIHAR

“There has been development in every sphere,” claimed Nitish Kumar.

On the question of unemployment, Nitish Kumar told The Quint:

“As far as unemployment is concerned, you should see how many people have got work, how much development has taken place. Nobody talks about the truth...Ask anybody, other than those who are biased against us.”

Nitish Kumar also slammed the Opposition’s promise of 10 lakh jobs.

“RJD’s promise of 10 lakh jobs is superficial. But BJP’s promise is correct because it has promised to create jobs, not give jobs. Employment opportunity should be given, how can a government job be given to all.”

Nitish Kumar

ON MUNGER UNREST

Speaking about the Munger firing, Nitish Kumar pointed out that the law and order situation in Munger when the incident took place was in the hands of the Election Commission. He also said that the incident is not going to have any impact on the ongoing elections in Bihar.

“Everything in Bihar right now is under the Election Commission...There will be a strict probe of the incident...But did you see how the incident took place one day before that area went to poll, and yet the polls were conducted smoothly?”

Nitish Kumar

ON COVID-19

On being asked how the COVID-19 crisis is expected to impact Bihar elections this time, Nitish Kumar said that he sees no impact.

“A lot of people are taking part in our campaigns, and more people have voted this time than before. So COVID has had no impact on the campaign, or on people’s votes.”

The first phase of the polls in Bihar is over and the next two phases are slated to be held on 3 and 7 November.

Meanwhile, Campaigning for the second phase of Bihar polls, PM Modi addressed rallies across the state on Sunday.

As the pairs of Nitish Kumar-PM Modi and Tejashwi Yadav-Rahul Gandhi enter the ring for campaigning in Bihar, surveys suggest the popularity gap between NDA and Mahagathbandhan is narrowing. Will Nitish return or will Tejashwi script history?