PM's 'failure' to cost NDA dearly in Bihar polls: Chabban

Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Union Government's failure to deliver on all fronts during its 16-month rule will cost the NDA dearly in the Bihar Assembly polls, Jharkhand Congress secretary S R A Rizvi Chabban said here today.
Expressing confidence that the secular grand alliance headed by Kumar will retain power in Bihar, Chabban said Kumar had strived to deliver in all front sincerely but could not achieve the desired result owing to lack of co-operation from the Union Government.
The Congress leader said it was no secret that all political parties in the fray are trying to influence the voters on the basis of caste.

Unfortunately, the prime minister, who had been propagating against caste-based politics, himself plunged into such politics by repeatedly referring himself as one who came from a backward caste and a tea seller, he said.
Chabban also expressed concern over the increasing incidents of communal violence and an atmosphere of intolerance in the country.
Regretting that the issue of beef seemed to have grabbed the centre-stage in Bihar polls, Chabban said serious issues like unemployment, education and health have taken a back seat.

Opposing the government's interference as far as people's eating and clothing habits were concerned, he supported those who have returned awards in protest against increasing intolerance in the country.

"Majority of them (writers and scientists) are not part of mainstream politics nor they have any alternative way to protest against the government," Chabban said.
Asked that the country had witnessed serious incidents in the past such as Muzzafarnagar riots but none of them returned awards then, Chabban said it was like who will bell the cat first.
When a writer gathered courage and came out in protest against the government, others followed the suit one after another, he added.