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Modi bonanza for Bihar
Highlights
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced a Rs 1.25-lakh crore package for election-bound Bihar and attacked Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for his \"arrogance\" in returning money meant for victims of the 2008 Kosi floods. Shortly after Modi ended his campaign speech attended by thousands at Ara town, Nitish Kumar accused the Prime minister of spreading falsehood and insisted the money was Bihar\'s right and not a favour.
- PM announces hefty 1.25L cr package
- Nitish accuses Modi of spreading falsehood
Ara/Saharsa: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced a Rs 1.25-lakh crore package for election-bound Bihar and attacked Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for his "arrogance" in returning money meant for victims of the 2008 Kosi floods. Shortly after Modi ended his campaign speech attended by thousands at Ara town, Nitish Kumar accused the Prime minister of spreading falsehood and insisted the money was Bihar's right and not a favour.
After laying the foundation stones for 10 road projects, Modi told the rally that the package would change the face of Bihar and urged the people to vote the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to power in the Assembly polls. The Prime Minister said Rs 40,000 crore unspent from an earlier aid package to the state would also be given, taking the total central assistance to Rs 1.65 lakh crore.
Modi recalled that before the 2014 Lok Sabha election, he had promised a special package of Rs 50,000 crore to Bihar. "But looking at the dreams of a prosperous Bihar, it was decided to give a bigger package."Modi accused Nitish Kumar of playing political games and of getting only Rs 12,000 crore for Bihar from the previous Congress-led UPA government.
He also challenged Nitish Kumar's claim that Bihar was no longer a 'BIMBARU' state. "Our Chief Minister turned very angry and said who is Modi to call Bihar a BIMARU state. He said with authority that Bihar is no longer a BIMARU state. If that's true, I will be the happiest person."
Later, addressing another rally in Saharsa district, Modi again targeted Nitish Kumar, the Janata Dal-United leader and the BJP's arch foe in the election. "The Chief Minister returned the money given to help the people affected by the Kosi floods. It hurt me.""At the time of the Kosi tragedy, an arrogant leader was not worried about the pain and suffering of the flood victims," Modi said.
Was PM bidding for Bihar? Nitish on package
Nitish Kumar has questioned not just the Prime Minister mega package for Bihar, but also the way he announced it. 'Was PM Bidding for Bihar?" asked Kumar on Tuesday evening. The Prime Minister had dramatically promised Rs 1.25 lakh crore in central funding for Bihar at a function in Ara.
"How much should it be - 50,000 crore, 60,000, 70,000, 75,000, 80,000?" the PM asked, before announcing his Bihar package to thunderous applause. "We don't know when we will get all the money anyway," the Chief Minister said dismissively. He has emphasised that "special assistance is our right and not a favor."
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