Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad promised free electricity to households on Wednesday (February 5, 2025) if the RJD-led Grand Alliance, or Mahagathbandhan, is voted to power in Bihar.
Mr. Prasad made the announcement during his visit to Nalanda, the home district of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. He had attended an event in Nalanda’s Islampur to mark the death anniversary of former MLA Krishna Vallab Prasad.
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Mr. Prasad appealed to the people to vote for the RJD and not bow down before anyone. The former Chief Minister said everyone should ensure that his son Tejashwi Yadav became the Chief Minister in the Assembly election scheduled in October-November.
“Once Tejashwi becomes the Chief Minister, our government will provide free electricity to people,” Mr. Prasad said.
Mr. Prasad had already passed the baton to his son to lead the party. On January 18, during the National Executive Committee meeting of the RJD in Patna, Mr. Yadav’s stature in the party rose when a resolution vesting him with powers equal to that of national president Mr. Prasad was passed.
Former Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Yadav is presently Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Legislative Assembly.
Mr. Prasad further said on the lines of a scheme announced by the Jharkhand government, women in Bihar will get financial assistance of ₹2,500 per month under the Mai-Bahan Samman Yojana, as promised by his son.
“I have never bowed my head before anyone nor will I ever do. I appeal to all youth, journalists, women, brothers and sisters to always stand together to protect this country,” Mr. Prasad said.
He praised RJD MLA Rakesh Roshan’s work in the Islampur Assembly constituency. A large number of RJD workers gathered on the grounds of Khanqah High School to listen to him.
Tejashwi complains to Governor
Meanwhile, Mr. Yadav called on Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan on Wednesday to discuss the “deteriorating law and order” in the State.
“I met the Governor and gave him a memorandum regarding the deteriorating law and order situation in Bihar and apprised him of the chaotic situation prevailing in the State,” Mr. Yadav said in the press statement.
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Referring to an incident at Benipatti in Madhubani district, where a Muslim cleric was allegedly assaulted by the police on January 29, Mr. Yadav said Muslims were being targeted and harassed.
Mr. Yadav added, “Due to the poor law and order situation in Bihar, incidents of murder, shooting, rape, robbery, theft, snatching and extortion are taking place every day and smuggling of liquor and drugs is at its peak. Hundreds of people are being killed every month. The police are torturing common citizens on the basis of caste and religion. Muslims are especially being targeted and harassed.”
He further alleged that criminals were emboldened owing to protection given by the government.
Published - February 05, 2025 08:47 pm IST
