A day ahead of counting for the Bihar Assembly elections, RJD MLC Sunil Singh warned that the state could turn into another Nepal or Bangladesh if there was any malpractice during the process.
Speaking to the media on Thursday, Singh claimed that ordinary voters, party workers, and coalition supporters were on alert and would not tolerate even a small percentage of fraud.
Addressing the election officials, he urged them to act honestly, conduct the counting fairly, and separate truth from falsehood. “I appeal to officials to act honestly: conduct the counting fairly, separate truth from falsehood, and perform your duties with integrity do not become guided instruments serving someone else," he said.
The RJD MLC further warned that anyone involved in manipulation or fraud would not remain in power for long. “If fraud occurs, those responsible will not be able to remain in power for long," he added.
Reacting to Singh’s remarks, BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla slammed the RJD leader, calling the statement a sign of “complete frustration and nervousness".
Poonawalla said the opposition had started by blaming exit polls and was now trying to create grounds for trouble on counting day.
He added that RJD leaders, including Tejashwi Yadav, had previously made statements about “qurbani," and now Singh was claiming Bihar could be turned into Bangladesh or Nepal. He accused the RJD of threatening the democratic process rather than protecting it.
“They are Sanvidhan Bhakshak not Rakshak," Poonawalla noted.
FIR Filed Against Sunil Singh
Shortly after Singh’s remarks drew condemnation, the Bihar DGP has ordered an FIR to be lodged against the RJD leader for giving what officials described as an “inflammatory" statement.
Bihar Braces For Assembly Election Results
Bihar recorded a historic voter turnout of 67.13 per cent in the two-phase elections held on November 6 and 11 for the 243-member assembly. Counting of votes is scheduled to begin at 8 am on Friday, November 14, with trends and results expected from 9 am onwards. The Election Commission has set up 46 counting centres across 38 districts in the state. A total of 7.45 crore voters were eligible to decide the fate of 2,616 candidates.
Exit polls have largely predicted a clean sweep for the NDA, which includes the JD(U) and BJP, among others. The opposition INDIA bloc, led by the RJD with Tejashwi Yadav as its chief ministerial candidate, has rejected these predictions, claiming it will form the government with a strong majority.
The NDA in Bihar comprises five parties, with the JD(U) and BJP contesting the majority of seats. Meanwhile, the INDIA bloc includes RJD, Congress, CPI(ML) Liberation, other Left parties, and the Vikasheel Insaan Party (VIP), all contesting to challenge the ruling coalition.
