Poster war erupts prior to Bihar assembly polls; compares 15 yrs of Lalu vs Nitish

Ahead of Bihar assembly polls that are scheduled later this year, political parties in the state have geared up and have started wooing people. On Thursday, a poster was observed in Bihar's capital Patna that compares the 15 years of rule of Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi-led RJD government and Nitish Kumar-led JD(U) government. While the picture at Yadav's side, shows arson, death and violence, picture at Kumar's side, shows infrastructure development. This comes amid a war of words between the JDU and the BJP leaders, hinting at a rift within the NDA. 

READ: Prashant Kishor reminds Bihar's Dy CM of BJP's 2015 defeat amid tussle over seat sharing.

War of words

A war-of-words has broken out within the NDA in Bihar ahead of the assembly elections scheduled next year. Soon after Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Sushil Modi criticised JD(U) Vice President and poll strategist Prashant Kishor for his statement on seat-sharing, Kishor has given a befitting response. Taking to Twitter on Tuesday, Kishor has said Sushil Modi was made the Deputy CM even after BJP lost the election. Therefore, he added, in what sounded like a sarcastic tone, that it is good to hear about politics and ideology from him. 

READ: Prashant Kishor waxes sarcastic after Hardeep Puri's withering 'Who is he?' remark

The BJP-JDU war-of-words has been triggered after Kishor in an exclusive interview to Republic Media Network had said that JD(U) is a bigger party and will contest on more seats than the BJP. Slamming his statement, Deputy CM Modi, taking to Twitter said that there has been no decision on the seat-sharing as of now. He had added that both parties will decide on the correct time. He had slammed Kishor, saying that he is trying to benefit the opposition by speaking against the alliance and by not following the terms and conditions of the alliance.  

READ: Prashant Kishor calls Nitish Kumar 'face of Bihar' & JD(U) 'bigger party' than BJP

Bihar assembly elections 2020

With a total of 243 seats in Bihar assembly, the state goes to polls next year. While the ruling alliance of JD(U) and BJP are reportedly having internal tussles, the Opposition alliance - the Mahagathbandhan appears to be directionless after the massive poll drubbing in the general elections 2019. Lalu Yadav's party failed to open its account in the general elections and Nitish Kumar is facing anti-incumbency. 

Currently, the JD(U) holds 69 seats while the BJP holds 54 seats in the assembly. The Opposition consisting of RJD, Congress and others, hold 105 seats. The JD(U)-led NDA alliance trounced the Mahagathbandhan in the Lok Sabha elections in the state. While the NDA won 39 of the 40 seats, RJD won one seat and the Congress failed to win a single seat.

READ: Bihar BJP boss slams Prashant Kishor; asks 'is he JDU chief to speak on seat-sharing?'