"Don't make hit-and-run allegations": DK Shivakumar rejects BJP's claim that Congress sent money to Bihar polls

Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], October 21 (ANI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Tuesday hit back at BJP leaders BY Vijayendra, BY Raghavendra, and others for alleging that the Congress party was sending money to the Bihar Assembly elections.
Speaking to reporters at Gandhinagar, Shivakumar said, "They are remembering their past work. We neither have such a practice nor is there a need for such a thing. This is just a hit-and-run statement; let them present evidence if they have. They are making such allegations as they are worried that the INDIA block would come to power in Bihar."
He was responding to questions on the BJP's allegations that Congress was sending money to the Bihar elections.
Reacting to BJP leader R Ashoka's claim that the Karnataka government would collapse by November, Shivakumar said, "There must be some problem with the Union government, and hence he is diverting attention by talking about the state government. Congress government is stable with 140 MLAs but there is a coalition government in the Centre."
On his meeting with Biocon Chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, the Deputy CM said, "We discussed Bengaluru. She has promised to support developmental works in Bengaluru and not to tarnish its image. I will visit the area and hold meetings on Wednesday or Thursday."
When asked if she provided a list of roads for repair, Shivakumar said, "No list was shared. The IT-BT industry has assured support in the development of Bengaluru. We will hold talks with companies too and take necessary action."
The 2025 Bihar Elections will have the main contest between the National Democratic Alliance and the Mahagathbandhan. The NDA comprises the Bharatiya Janata Party, Janata Dal (United), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), and Rashtriya Lok Morcha.
The Mahagathbandhan led by Rashtriya Janata Dal includes the Congress party, the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) (CPI-ML) led by Deepankar Bhattacharya, the Communist Party of India (CPI), the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM), and Mukesh Sahani's Vikasheel Insaan Party (VIP). Additionally, Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj has also staked claims on all 243 seats of the state.
Polling in the Bihar 2025 elections is scheduled to take place on November 6 and 11, respectively, while the results will be declared on November 14.
On Monday, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) released its list of 143 candidates, effectively concluding prolonged seat-sharing talks within the Mahagathbandhan alliance. However, the alliance suffered a blow as the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) formally withdrew from the elections.
With this announcement, the shape of the Mahagathbandhan alliance is also clear, with RJD contesting 143, Congress 61, CPI ML 20 and the remaining likely to go to Mukesh Sahani's VIP.
The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, which had earlier announced its intention to contest alone on six seats in the Bihar assembly elections, withdrew from the polls on Monday. The announcement was formally made by senior JMM leader and minister Sudivya Kumar. (ANI)