Sonia attacks non-Cong govts, Nitish in Bihar

Congress President Sonia Gandhi today once again attacked Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and accused him of making “empty promises and showing sweet dreams to the people”.

This time, she also lashed at ex-CM and Rashtriya Janata Dal chief, Lalu Prasad, who was once a coalition ally, though without naming him.

“There is unemployment, poverty, backwardness and people still have to migrate to other places from here in search of better opportunities,” she said in election meetings at Bhabhua and Buxar. “There is lack of energy which affects agriculture and industry. The condition of education and health is also not up to the mark.”

On the Durgawati reservoir project in Kaimur district, she said: “It is unfortunate the project has not taken off. We don’t know what politics is going on. The Centre has immensely helped and cleared proposals for the project, but nothing has come off.”

Adding: “The Centre lent support in providing funds under the Bharat Nirman Yojana, MNREGA, mid-day meal schemes, but the money failed to reach the people.” The non-Congress governments were responsible for the state’s backwardness and poverty during the past 20 years,” she said. On Nitish Kumar, she said: “They have fooled people during the past five years and now they are seeking another term.”

Without naming Lalu Prasad and his ally, Ram Vilas Paswan, she said, “Here people are busy in promoting family members and engaging in politics of castes and religion.” Lalu has fielded his wife and former CM, Rabri Devi from Sonepur and Raghopur, while Paswan’s two brothers, Pashupati Paras and Ramchandra Paswan, are also in the fray.