Patna: The campaign blitzkrieg for the fifth and the final phase of Bihar Assembly elections are on in full swing. Prime Minister Modi and Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi are expected to clash head on with both leaders set to host a bunch of rallies across the state on Monday.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will also address rallies in the state today.
The rallies are being held even as the Election Commission issued notices to BJP President Amit Shah, Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rahul Gandhi for their remarks during the poll campaigns.
Inspite of EC's notice, Lalu attacked Modi again and said, "Narendra Modi is a liar. He always says the wrong things. He is a RSS person. Modi has lost the election and he knows it and that is why the BJP members have started dissappearing. The fifth phase is left but still we know BJP is going to lose badly."
The EC also "cautioned" Janata Dal United chief Sharad Yadav for his reported remarks to influence voters in the name of divine displeasure and said he should follow the provisions of the model code as he is a senior politician.
In its order, the EC had rejected Yadav's contention that the statement was made as an "emotive appeal" using a "hyperbole and metaphor".
The Commission has given Rahul time till 3 PM on November 4 to explain his stand "failing which the EC shall take a decision without any further reference to you." Quoting from his election speech made on October 29 in Benipatti in Madhubani district, the Commission recalled that Rahul had said, "What is their plan B...make Indian fight another Indian. Wherever they go -- UP, Maharashtra, Haryana -- wherever there is an election, their army goes and they make Hindus fight the Muslims."
The poll watchdog reminded Rahul that the model code does not provide for criticism of other parties or their workers based on unverified allegations. It also said "distortion" of any kind must be "avoided".
(With additional information from PTI)
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