BJP claims Lalu Prasad flouted polls code, urges EC to act

This is a threat to voter and violates model code of conduct, said BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi

BJP today urged the Election Commission to take notice of an alleged comment by RJD president Lalu Prasad in the run-up to Harlakhi bypoll that "only those voting for secular alliance will get pure, tap water".

"This is a threat to voter and violates model code of conduct which is in action in the Harlakhi Assembly constituency of Madhubani district, which would see voting on February 13," BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi said.

"EC should take notice of Lalu Prasad's comment and act against him for violation of model code," the Leader of Opposition in Legislative Council said on the sidelines of 'Janata Darbar' held by him at his official residence.

Incidentally, providing free water through pipe to every household formed a part of "seven resolves" of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar which the secular alliance government has adopted in its programme for good governance.

Prasad had reportedly made the comment that those who voted for secular alliance would get pure tap water and those who voted for BJP would have to drink water from handpump and well at Darbhanga yesterday before leaving for Harlakhi to address election rally in favour of Congress candidate Mohammad Shabir.

The bypoll to Harlakhi was necessitated by the death of Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP), an ally of the BJP, MLA Basant Kushwaha before taking oath.

Referring to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's statement in Vaishali last week that despite urban electorate not voting for him like those in rural parts, his government was working for development of cities and town, he said, "These are examples of verbal threats to people to vote for secular alliance for development".

"This means that around 1.30 crore people who voted for the BJP and NDA in the Bihar elections would be left out of development work of government headed by Nitish Kumar," Sushil Modi said.