Law Kumar Mishra
Patna, October 19
Bihar’s two political stalwarts entered into a debate like the Presidential election in the United States but they were 10 km apart instead of lashing out at each other from a common dais.
While Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was addressing an election meeting at Tekari, Tejashwi Prasad Yadav was in Atri, about 10 km away in Gaya district of central Bihar. Tejashwi is the Chief Minister candidate of the Grand Alliance.
Nitish in his 20 minutes speech was repeating the figures and facts which he had been delivering in the state assembly and election meetings for the last one month. It included the number of engineering, medical colleges opened, construction of roads etc.
On the other hand, Tejashwi was speaking about his future plans, first decision as chief minister to sign documents for appointment of lone million youths in different government departments, free travel to the examinees to the centres, no fees for examinations etc.
Nitish said no industries could come in Bihar in the last 15 years as Bihar was landlocked and sea was far away that caused hindrance in supply of raw materials and marketing of finished products.
Tejashwi replied “Bihar was land locked even when my father was the chief minister and Railway Minister. He got opened three railway factories at Chapra, Marhoyrah and Mahdepura.”
Nitish cautioned people: “Beware of the Jungle Raj. If you fail to elect me, jungle Raj would return.” Tejashwi told his audience, mostly 90 per cent youths, “Forget the past, I am a leader of the young generation. I have to remain in politics for long, I will work for all castes, all communities.”
Nitish quipped on the election symbol of RJD-Lantern. “Now the age of Lantern is over. I have provided LED bulbs even in the villages.” Tejaswhi responded: “See, JDU symbol is Arrow (Teer) without bows. Even in the age of Missiles, they are using arrows.”
The Chief Minister told the electorate” Our opponent (referring to Tejashwi) is poorly educated, does not understand development.” “When I was deputy chief minister for 18 months with Nitish Kumar as my Boss, I was highly educated. There was no complaint against my performance as deputy CM,” Tejashwi responded.
RJD leader in his speech tried to please all sections of the society. He literally copied the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s speech in Patna in 2015 when he announced Rs 1.25 lakh crore special package. Tejashwi said “Kitna naukari chahihye, chaar lakh, sadhe chhar lakh, panch lakh, sadhe nau lakh, Lijiye, das lakh naukri pahele din hi doonga). Tejashwi promised farmers in the rice bowl of the state that his government, if voted to power, would waive off loan and pay minimum support price besides cutting power-charges to half for consumers.
He looked at an old man and asked “Dada (grand-father), how much pension is paid to you”, The old man replied (Rs 400), Tejashwi said “Prices have gone up and what is the value of Rs 400, I will pay you Rs 1,000 per month.”
His speeches are received with long spells of clapping and Tejaswhi Bhaiya Jindabad against the poor response from the crowd to Nitish speech. They found the chief minister’s speech boring, full of only official statistics.
