NDA hopes to make inroads into Muslim-Yadav vote bank in Bihar
25 Aug 2015 5:10 AM IST
Locked in a keen contest with the grand alliance of Janata Dal (United), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress in Bihar, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is eyeing at the division in Muslim-Yadav combination besides banking on the development plank of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his "appeal" among the youth.
Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan, who heads the NDA constituent Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), is confident that time has now come for a "change" in Bihar politics and is dismissive of the coming together of Nitish Kumar and Arvind Kejriwal for Bihar polls. "The Bihar Chief Minister is trying to wash the stain of aligning with RJD chief Lalu Prasad, whereas the AAP leader's appeal among the youth does not go beyond Delhi," he said.
Paswan countered perceptions regarding the perceived low vote base of the BJP-led NDA vis-à-vis the earlier Muslim-Yadav vote combination of Lalu and Kumar's reach among Extremely Backward Castes.
Though the Union Minister vehemently rejected Opposition charge that AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi is entering the poll fray in Bihar at the NDA's behest, but maintained that the Hyderabad MP will indeed make a dent in Muslim votes making it tough for the rivals keep Muslim-Yadav combine intact.
"Lalu and Nitish have so far only used Muslims in Bihar as vote bank," the Union MInister said.
Owaisi has announced his party will contest 25 seats in the upcoming Assembly elections.
"M-Y (Muslim-Yadav) combination is breaking up this time. Yadavs will not vote overwhelmingly for Lalu Prasad. BJP also has Yadav leaders like Ram Kripal Yadav and Nand Kishore Yadav. There are multiple leaders among Yadavs and BJP will get a considerable chunk of that vote," said Paswan.
The Union Minister added: "Nothing has been done for Muslims in last 15 years rule of Lalu and 10 years rule of Kumar. In this backdrop, Owaisi is drawing crowds in Seemanchal region of the state. The crowd in his programmes is an indication that Muslims have got disenchanted with Lalu and
Nitish. This helps us."
When told about the Opposition charge that BJP was propping up Owaisi to divide Muslim votes, Paswan shot back. He said: "That is absurd. It is the BJP and the NDA led by it, which is constantly under most intense attack from Owaisi."
Ridiculing the Bihar Chief Minister's attempt to reach out to migrants from the state living in Delhi, Paswan said why will these people, who have to leave Bihar due to "wrong policies of Nitish and Lalu" for 25 years support him.
The LJP chief said youngsters in Bihar are looking for employment and Narendra Modi has an appeal among them, which will not be affected by Kejriwal's campaign.
The ruling alliance at the Centre is hopeful of getting a considerable chunk of votes from backward
classes. "Upper castes do not see eye to eye with Nitish Kumar while the most backward classes do not like Lalu Prasad. Where is their vote base?" he said when told that the combined vote share of JD-U and RJD could make it difficult for NDA in Bihar," he said.
Paswan also countered Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi's attack on the PM on the issue of financial package for Bihar and claimed that the NDA government would soon be announcing 'One Rank One Pension' to ex-servicemen as was done in case of special package for the poll-bound state.
NCP plans 'Third' front with Left
Shocked over the short shrift by the 'grand alliance', NCP leader Tariq Anwar has plans to stitch up a 'Third' option in poll-bound Bihar by seeking to join hands with Left parties. Anwar, who has held preliminary talks with some Left leaders, said if the alliance with these parties materialises, it would be a credible tie-up at a time when the state is witnessing a tussle between communal forces and "opportunist" forces. He added he also has plans to take along small parties to take on the rivals .
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