"Speak on these issues": RJD's Manoj Sinha slams PM Modi for neglecting special status of Bihar

Patna (Bihar) [India], April 7 (ANI): As Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a rally in Bihar's Nawada on Sunday, Rajya Sabha MP & RJD leader Manoj Jha reminded the former that the central government has failed to accord 'special' category status to Bihar.
"In 2013, you talked about the special status of Bihar, after 11 years, Bihar is asking you the same question, you should speak on these issues, then only people will evaluate you honestly," said Jha.
Notably, during the 2015 Assembly elections, PM Modi had also announced a Rs 1.25 lakh crore special package for Bihar. However, nothing has happened after that.
The RJD leader also requested PM Modi not to make WhatsApp forwards as an election issue and asked him to speak on the issue of electoral bonds.
"...I request PM Modi not to make WhatsApp forwards as an election issue. If you want to speak, speak on the Supreme Court judgement on the Electoral Bond that how after raids from ED, donations have gone to your party," Jha told ANI.
The five-member Constitution Bench, of Supreme Court (SC) in a unanimous verdict, upheld every challenge to every aspect in the electoral bonds case, declaring the scheme unconstitutional.
It ordered the SBI to stop issuing electoral bonds immediately and submit all information of the bonds sold, and the names of all the donors and recipients, to the Election Commission of India (ECI).
RJD candidate from Pataliputra, and the daughter of Lalu Prasad Yadav, Misa Bharti, said, "... They (BJP) do not have any issues, they are fighting the election without any issue, while the INDIA alliance is fighting the election on issues. We are talking about employment and the minimum support price."
With only a fortnight to go for the first phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a public rally in Bihar's Nawada on Sunday in a bid to woo the voters of the constituency.
This was the second visit by the PM within a week.
Voting for Nawada will take place in the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections on April 19 and the BJP has fielded Vivek Thakur from the seat.
Vivek Thakur, the son of former union minister CP Thakur, will be contesting against RJD candidate Shrawan Kushwaha.
Bihar will see polling in seven phases. The first phase of polling will be held on April 19, the second phase on April 26, the third phase on May 7, the fourth phase on May 13, the fifth phase on May 20, the sixth phase on May 25, and the seventh phase on June 1.
In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the NDA, consisting of BJP, JDU (Janata Dal-United), and LJP (Lok Janshakti Party), secured victory by taking the lead on 39 out of 40 seats. Meanwhile, the Mahagathbandhan, led by RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal), INC (Indian National Congress), and RLSP (Rashtriya Lok Samta Party), only managed to secure one seat.
The Lok Sabha Elections 2024 will be held in seven phases, starting on April 19. Counting of votes on June 4. (ANI)