Law Kumar Mishra
PATNA , July 20 As several districts in Bihar re-imposed Lockdown restrictions following an “alarming surge” in the Corona positive cases, the BJP too now finds the atmosphere for assembly elections not conducive.
In a major climbdown from its earlier stand of holding the assembly elections as per schedule in October-November this year, most of the senior BJP leaders including deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi now puts the ball in the court of the Election Commission (EC).
In a tweet, revised within an hour, Modi said “Bihar assembly elections are three months away from now. It is difficult to predict the condition arising out of Coronavirus till The EC will assess the situation and take an appropriate decision. There should not be any political statement (speculation) on the preparations by the EC”, he said, adding that NDA that is now in power in Bihar will abide by the decision of the Commission.
Barring the LJP, the BJP and JDU were firm on holding assembly elections as per the schedule and opposed delaying it in view of Corona pandemic. The LJP president, Chirag Paswan was in favour of extension of the schedule.
Now, the BJP is finding a very cold response to its virtual assembly constituency wise rallies. Attendance in these rallies is thin. There is an apprehension the virtual rallies to be addressed by top national leaders may also wear deserted looks in closed halls.
Even the virtual rallies are facing virus threats. In Munger and Motihari, BJP leaders who had attended the virtual rallies last week were affected by the Coronavirus and were admitted in
In Patna, four members of the deputy CM office at state secretariat have been tested positive for Coronavirus and admitted in the Covid-19-dedicated AIIMS. Over 60 members of the security and personal staff of the chief minister are also down with Corona.The BJP spokesman,Arwind Kumar Singh,today announced he was Corona positive and admitted in a hospital.Eight legislators,two MPs and one minister are undergoing treatment for Corona in AIIMS here.Chairman of the Bihar Vidhan Parishad,Awadesh Narain singh is also admitted in AIIMS following Corona attack.
Chirag Paswan,national president of LJP ,a constituent of NDA here finds the condition not appropriate for holding elections and suggested it should be rescheduled in view of Coronavirus spread..
RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav had been repeatedly demanding delaying of the elections beyond November 29,when the current assembly’s five year’s term concludes.He said except for BJP and JDU,all other parties are in favour of extension of the dates of the elections.Task of the Election Commission has become difficult to hold elections amid Corona.
Prem Chandra Mishra,senior Congress legislator too finds the atmosphere not conducive for the elections..He demanded Election Commission to hold an all party meeting on the issue.He reminded the chief minister,Nitish kumar about his earlier statement that it was the time to fight Corona and not elections.Corona situation is worsening daily in Bihar and officials too are engaged in fighting Corona and in many districts with floods..Curfew in night and day long lockdown has to be reimposed in 15 districts,Mishra said and feared the priority would change from Corona crisis to elections .
Congress leader said it would be difficult for the parties to face elections and electorate in view of the alarming rise in Corona cases.
Sushil Kumar Modi in his tweet commented”Those students who are poor in their studies are always in search of excuses for avoiding examinations”.Fearing its impending defeat,the RJD is finding an excuse and asking for delay in the elections.
Former union Finance Minister,Yahswant Sinha,who has launched a statewide tour for public interactions today regretted lockdown in several districts and said it was done to prevent him from meeting people.It is a political,not an administrative move to stop the opposition.,
Prashant Kishore,who was once an advisor to the chief minister,Nitish Kumar,too demanded rescheduling of the assembly elections in view of pandemic.During the 2015 assembly elections,PK was the principal campaign manager of Nitish Kumar and had popularized the slogan”Abki Baar,Nitieshe Kumar(as rural Bihari speak) “.and it worked successfully.
