A sort of euphoria is seen in the Maha Gathbandhan camp, the leaders of which claiming their alliance has taken a clear lead over the NDA citing the voting pattern in first phase. Pavan K Varma of JD(U), Manoj Jha of RJD and Chandan Yadav of Congress at a joint Press conference on Thursday said the BJP has conceded its defeat with the Prime Minister, who has been leading the NDA campaign, has cancelled his six election meetings between October 16 and 20.
“The BJP is giving excuse of Navratra for cancelling the meetings but we want to remind that last year Modi spent time in the US during Navratra,” said Varma and added that after sensing that the BJP is trailing, Modi has started keeping a distance from the campaign. “Just after the first phase of voting, Modi and top BJP leaders are highly worried and trying to wriggle our of Bihar polls by putting the responsibility on second rung of leader. This clearly indicates that BJP has conceded its defeat,” said Varma, a former diplomat.
He also recalled that in Delhi Assembly election, after holding five meetings the PM sensed defeat and kept himself off. Varma also claimed that every time Modi addressed one election meeting, the votes of Maha Gathbandhan increased because of his autocratic manner and Bihar bashing. Yadav of Congress said Modi from the very outset was confused and directionless.
Jha of the RJD congratulated EC for ordering removal of billboards and cutouts of Modi and BJP president Amit Shah from public places like airport and railway stations.