BJP's JP Nadda Confident of Victory in Bihar Elections, Dismisses Opposition's Criticism

BJP chief JP Nadda campaigned vigorously in Bihar as the Phase 1 of assembly election drew to a close. During an exclusive interview with NDTV's Padmaja Joshi in Gaya, Mr. Nadda expressed confidence about winning the constituency.

"We will win the rest of Bihar also and form the government under the leadership of Nitish Kumar. I find a clear-cut wave in favour of the NDA," he stated confidently.

Referring to the Opposition Grand Alliance, he dismissed it as a "thugbandhan, not gathbandhan," alluding to the notorious "jungle Raj" reputation that the Rashtriya Janata Dal acquired during Lalu Yadav and Rabri Devi's governance more than two decades ago.

When questioned about Rahul Gandhi's assertion that BJP would replace Nitish Kumar from the Chief Minister position and select someone else "like someone changing television channels," Nadda responded that the Congress leader is frustrated.

"He is not able to understand. He is not able to win seats... That is why he is talking about this type of thing," Nadda remarked.

Addressing opposition claims that schemes for women constitute "authorised bribery," Nadda countered that the Opposition has lost its "mental balance."

"They do not know the difference between empowerment and freebies," he explained, elaborating that the new initiative will supplement loans offered to Jivika Didis—women associated with a UN rural project—helping them become self-sufficient.

"We are trying to bring women into mainstream, not offer them freebies," he emphasized.

The first phase of Bihar's two-phase election is scheduled for November 6, with the second phase following on November 11. Vote counting will commence on November 14.