Bihar chief minister and the national president of Janata Dal United Nitish Kumar on Wednesday launched his first physical election campaign from Amarpur Assembly constituency in Banka district. He then flew to Sultanganj in Bhagalpur, Tarapur in Munger district and Mokamah in Patna distict to address public meetings.
This is the first time that he had physically addressed election meetings. Till now he had been relying on the virtual rallies. The Bihar chief minister has repeatedly been accused by the leader of opposition in Bihar Assembly, Tejashwi Prasad Yadav and the Lok Janshakti Party president Chirag Paswan of neglecting the common masses throughout the six months of lockdown.
They both charged the chief minister with not leaving his bungalow for about 100 days. Nitish started moving out of his offical bungalow on the eve of the announcement of the election dates by the Election Commission.
He inaugurated the party office in Patna and addressed a virtual public meeting. On Oct 14 he delivered speeches at four places and chose to target the 15 years of Lalu Prasad-Rabri Devi rule. While highlighting the achievements of his government he recalled how inefficient the previous government was.
However, he refused to respond to the challenge posed by the leader of opposition Tejashwi Prasad Yadav to contest against the latter from anywhere in Nalanda district, the home turf of the Bihar chief minister.
Politically his election rally in Mokamah was most significant as controversial strongman Anant Singh, till sometimes back a very trusted lieutenant of Nitish, is contesting on the RJD ticket.
Deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi too addressed election rallies in Rohtas district. He too targeted the 15 years rule of Lalu-Rabri.
