BJP Leader Ravi Shankar Prasad Expects NDA Victory in Bihar Assembly Elections

Strategic Insights -

In an exclusive interview with Smriti Kak Ramachandran, former Union minister and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ravi Shankar Prasad expressed confidence in the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA)'s victory in the upcoming Bihar assembly elections. Prasad attributed the NDA's strong chances to the people of Bihar's continued faith in Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar, contrasting it with the Opposition's lack of credibility and public support. He also predicted that the Congress will suffer its worst-ever performance in the state.

Key Takeaways:

  • Ravi Shankar Prasad expects the BJP-led NDA to win the Bihar assembly elections, citing the people's faith in Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and the development work done by the NDA.
  • The NDA's strong governance has led to significant growth, infrastructure development, and improved law and order in Bihar, contrasting with the Opposition's "jungle raj" legacy.
  • The Opposition, led by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), is haunted by corruption scandals and has been unable to present a credible alternative to the NDA.
  • The NDA's promise of one job per household, if implemented, would require at least Rs.12 lakh crore in expenditure, which the Opposition has not provided a clear plan for.
  • The NDA's initiatives, such as the Mukhyamantri Mahila Roga Yojna, have empowered women in Bihar and provided them with opportunities for entrepreneurship and self-employment.
  • Ravi Shankar Prasad dismissed Rahul Gandhi's claims of the Bihar government being run through remote control, stating that the people of Bihar do not take Gandhi seriously and will respond negatively to his politics of antics and casual comments.
  • Nitish Kumar's experience, hard work, and appeals to the people of Bihar will contribute to the NDA's victory despite his age and health concerns.

Statistics:

  • 94,000 jobs were given during Lalu Prasad and Rabri Devi's regimes in more than 15 years, compared to 1.8 million jobs given by the NDA in Bihar.
  • 1.26 crore (12.6 million) jeevika samuhs (self-help groups) are active under the NDA, providing opportunities for self-employment.
  • The NDA's election expenses, including the transfer of Rs.10,000 to women beneficiaries under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Roga Yojna, amount to a significant amount.
  • Rs.23,000 crore was the total budget during Lalu Prasad's tenure, while it has increased to Rs.3 lakh crore under the NDA.
  • 2.70 crore (27 million) households in Bihar will be the target of the NDA's promise of one job per household.

Sources:

  • Smriti Kak Ramachandran, Hindustan Times
  • Ravi Shankar Prasad, BJP leader
  • Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Hindustan Times.