JD (U) welcomes election dates, but terms DA hike as 'political bribe'

The Janata Dal (United) on Wednesday welcomed the announcement of the Bihar assembly election dates.

"I welcome the announcement for the dates for the Bihar Assembly elections by the Election Commission," JD (U) leader K C Tyagi told ANI.

However, Tyagi criticised the NDA Government for announcing a six percent hike in Dearness Allowance (DA) for the Central Government employees on the same day as the announcement of the election dates.

"The government gave a 'political bribe' to voters today. I welcome the DA hike for central government employees, but, I feel the, timing of the announcement is not correct, BJP will have to face the heat in the elections," said Tyagi.

When asked why had the state government then hiked the DA, Tyagi said "When the Centre hikes DA, it becomes mandatory for states to hike DA."

Elections in Bihar will begin from October 12. They will be held in five phases.

The results will be declared on November 8.