Jan Suraaj Party Alleges Rs 14,000 Crore World Bank Fund Diversion in Bihar Elections 2025

Prashant Kishor (File photo)

Patna:

Jan Suraaj Party, founded by former poll strategist Prashant Kishor, has alleged that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's government "diverted" a World Bank fund amounting to Rs 14,000 crore to finance initiatives ahead of the 2025 assembly elections.

During a press conference on Saturday, following the party's unsuccessful electoral debut, Jan Suraaj National President Uday Singh claimed these funds were "diverted for doles and freebies."

Singh stated, "From June until the election announcement, the Nitish Kumar government expended Rs 40,000 crore to 'purchase' votes through public funds."

"The magnitude was unprecedented. Even the Rs 14,000 crore loan received from the World Bank has been redirected toward doles and freebies," he contended.

Addressing the 'Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana,' under which Rs 10,000 was transferred to women's bank accounts prior to the two-phase elections, Singh remarked, "It may be unprecedented that citizens continued receiving funds until the day before voting, despite the model code of conduct being in effect. This was sufficient to influence women who might be living hand-to-mouth."

He asserted that the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which maintained power in Bihar, would have faced defeat if public money hadn't been "lavished to secure votes."

"It's worth noting that only after Jan Suraaj Party promised Rs 2,000 old age pension did the government increase the amount from Rs 700 to Rs 1,100 monthly," Singh pointed out.

He also acknowledged that some potential Jan Suraaj voters ultimately supported the NDA "fearing the return of jungle raj under the RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal)."

"I can confirm there existed fear regarding jungle raj's return under RJD. While I'm not suggesting there was actually jungle raj, the apprehension was present. Many people who might have supported us ultimately voted for the NDA due to this concern," explained the former BJP MP.

His party colleague, Pavan Verma, made similar accusations, claiming the amount was diverted from a Rs 21,000-crore World Bank fund.

"Bihar's current public debt stands at Rs 4,06,000 crore, with daily interest of Rs 63 crore. The treasury is depleted. Our information, which could potentially be incorrect, indicates that the Rs 10,000 provided to women came from Rs 21,000 crore allocated by the World Bank for another project. Just an hour before the election code of conduct took effect, Rs 14,000 crore was withdrawn and distributed to 1.25 crore women across the state," he informed ANI.

"As mentioned, this represents our information. If inaccurate, I apologize. However, if accurate, questions arise regarding its ethical nature. It's possible that legally, no action can be taken. The government may divert funds and later provide explanations. Such explanations would follow after the election," he added.

Neither NDA leaders nor the Bihar government offered immediate responses.

Bihar Election Results 2025: NDA Overwhelms Mahagathbandhan

The NDA secured 202 seats in the 243-member assembly. The BJP won 89 seats, JDU 85, Union Minister Chirag Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) 19, Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi's Hindustani Awam Morcha 5, and Rajya Sabha MP Upendra Kushwaha's Rashtriya Lok Morcha 4.

The RJD-led Opposition alliance, Mahagathbandhan, managed only 35 seats. The RJD secured just 25 seats, marking its second-worst performance in a Bihar election since 2010. The Congress won 6 seats, down from 19, while CPI(ML)L gained 2 seats, CPI(M) 1 seat, and CPI none.

Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi's AIMIM won 5 seats, while Mukesh Sahani's Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) failed to secure any representation.

Bihar voted in two phases on November 6 and November 11, recording over 66 percent voter turnout, the highest in the state since 1951.