Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has strongly criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for what he deems a "double-engine" failure in Bihar, particularly regarding the issue of infiltrators. Addressing the ongoing Bihar Assembly elections, Kharge dismissed claims made by BJP leaders, including Home Minister Amit Shah, that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) would secure over 160 seats. He expressed confidence in the people's verdict and asserted that such claims are baseless slogans.
Kharge's sharpest criticism was directed at the BJP's handling of infiltrators. He questioned why, with a "double-engine" government (referring to the same party being in power at both the state and central levels), the BJP had not been able to effectively push out infiltrators. He stated, "If you cannot handle these infiltrators, then you are not fit to sit in that chair". This remark was a direct response to accusations from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, who have been targeting the opposition, including the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress, for allegedly protecting infiltrators for vote bank gains. Shah has vowed to remove every infiltrator from the country within the next five years, framing it as a critical issue of national security.
Kharge also mocked the NDA, suggesting Prime Minister Modi was trying to make Chief Minister Nitish Kumar "invisible". Furthermore, he placed blame on Prime Minister Narendra Modi for delays in the commencement of his own rally in Bihar, alleging that BJP officials were deliberately obstructing his path.
Amit Shah, meanwhile, has asserted that the RJD would be "wiped off" in the first phase of voting and has confidently stated that the NDA will win more than 160 seats and form the government in Bihar. He has accused the Congress of protecting infiltrators and has referred to Rahul Gandhi's "Voter Adhikar Yatra" as the "Ghuspetiya Bachchao Yatra," alleging its agenda was to retain Bangladeshi infiltrators on India's voter lists. Shah declared that infiltrators cannot be allowed to decide who will be the Chief Minister.
The political rhetoric in Bihar has intensified, with both sides trading accusations and expressing confidence in their respective victories. The BJP is focusing on national security and development, while the opposition is raising concerns about unemployment and the privatization of public sector undertakings. The first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections saw a high voter turnout of 64.66%.
