Change perceptible in Bihar: Swaraj-Oct 30, 2010,

Change perceptible in Bihar: Swaraj

Rajiv Kumar, TNN, Oct 30, 2010, 02.13am IST


BEGUSARAI: Senior BJP leader and leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj on Friday dubbed the skyrocketing prices as a product of the UPA government and even recited the popular number from Aamir Khan's Bollywood film "Peepli Live" to the crowd at an election meeting at Bacchwara in Begusarai district.

She said the abject failure of the Congress-led government to counter the menace has even removed pulses from the menu of the poor people. She said the NDA government in the state last time got a popular mandate on the ground of 15-year RJD misrule. However, this time the NDA is seeking a positive mandate for its good work during the last five years.

"With groups of girls cycling along the roads of villages and towns of the state becoming a common sight, change is perceptible," she said and added the NDA government had distributed about 2.5 crore cycles in the state. The noble scheme, in fact, did wonders for the confidence of the girls preparing them better to face future challenges. Moreover, the NItish-Modi government provided 50 percent reservation to women in panchayats and local bodies, which not only proved a boon for women's empowerment but also a trendsetter for other states, she said.

While listing the development works of the NDA government, vis-a-vis the previous RJD government, Swaraj said while the NDA government spent Rs 7,000 crore during the last five years, the latter could manage a meagre Rs 25,000 crore during its entire period.

Swaraj held the Congress responsible for the sharp increase in the prices of essential commodities and prevailing inflation in the country.

She was on a two-day whirlwind tour of Bhagalpur, Kahalgaon, Pirpainty and Naugachhia in Bhagalpur and Barahat (Banka) to seek support for the NDA candidates.

Swaraj said that the Centre had been unfair to the poor and the underprivileged sections of the society. Rice is being sold at Rs 25 per kg, pulse at Rs 80 per kg and edible oil for Rs 100 per kg, she said.

Lashing out at the RJD-LJP combine, she said that the people have seen the 15-years' misrule of the Lalu-Rabri governments. Lauding the Nitish Kumar-led NDA government in the state, the BJP leader said that under the NDA government, a record 23,600 km of roads were constructed and repaired.

Urging the people to vote for the NDA candidates in the assembly constituencies of Bhagalpur and Banka districts, she urged them to ensure their win with a record margin.