The RJD leader accused the Election Commission of aiding “vote chori” under the NDA’s influence
Patna
As Bihar heads into a heated Assembly election campaign, political sparring between the BJP and the RJD intensified on Monday over the issue of infiltrators. Union Minister Giriraj Singh warned that all infiltrators entering since 1971 would be identified and deported if the NDA returned to power in the state. He accused the former RJD-Congress regime of appeasement politics, saying neither Rahul Gandhi nor Lalu Prasad Yadav could shield infiltrators.
The RJD hit back sharply, calling Singh’s comments a cover-up for the BJP’s own failures. Party spokesperson Manoj Jha said the BJP-led government, in power for over a decade, was responsible for porous borders. “If even one infiltrator is in Bihar, it is your government’s failure. You have been a minister for 11 years—what have you done? Instead of blaming others, you should demand the resignation of your Home Minister,” Jha asserted.
Jha also ridiculed Singh, saying his department’s focus had been limited to “Hindu-Muslim debates and jhatka-halal issues,” questioning his ministerial role.
The RJD leader further attacked the Election Commission of India, accusing it of enabling “vote chori” under NDA’s influence. He warned that people were aware of alleged manipulations and would unite against such practices. “Even children now say, ‘vote chor, gaddi chor.’ This awareness will make it difficult for the BJP and the Election Commission to control the public mood,” he remarked.
These exchanges come as Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav lead a 16-day foot march in Bihar, repeatedly accusing the BJP of misusing institutions and manipulating the media ahead of polls.