Nitish's development claims false, says Lalu

After taking pot shots at each other under the guise of poetry, the war of words between Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar shows no sings of abating.

"Lalu Prasad is not a trusted politician as he had failed to deliver during his 15 year regime in Bihar. What he is promising today is a mere political gimmick," Nitish Kumar said while reacting to Lalu's campaign promise that he would give free motorcycles and petrol to students if voted to power.

Kumar said in his public meetings that in response to his Balika Cycle Yojna, which has now been extended to boys also, Lalu Prasad promised that he will give motorcycles to students. The Janata Dal - United leader pointed out that one needs licenses to ride a motorcycle.

"Laluji wants to send students to jail. In the 1995 assembly polls, Lalu had announced sari-dhoti schemes for the poor, but nobody ever got it," he said.

Lalu, who is the chief ministerial candidate of the coalition between the RJD and the Lok Janshakti Party, has been telling people that Nitish Kumar's claims of development in the state are false. "There is no electricity, people are living in darkness and the poorest of the poor have been left in the lurch. Corruption is rampant and crime is growing," he said.

"This time it is a fight to the finish. Give me power once again. You won't be cheated this time. Help me dethrone the National Democratic Alliance," Lalu said at a rally in the  Kosi belt, which was badly hit by the devastating floods in 2008.

On the other hand, in his bid to woo Muslims, Lalu attacked Nitish and claimed that he had 'cheated' the community. While campaigning in the Seemanchal region, comprising  Muslim-dominated areas like Purnia, Kishanganj, Araria and Katihar, Lalu claimed that the hue and cry raised by Nitish Kumar over Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi's campaigning in Bihar was a big drama.

"Nitish is sitting in the lap of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and running the government with the BJP, but trying to appear Muslim-friendly and secular. But Muslims have identified his real face," Lalu said.

Reacting to Lalu'a allegations, Nitish Kumar said, "People have to decide whether they want the process of development to continue after the polls or want to go back to the days when progress was sacrificed at the altar of politics of caste, community and religion".

"Earlier it was aatank raj (reign of terror). People feared criminals. Now, it is the rule of law. The criminals fear the law," Nitish told a rally.

"Bihar is already on the path of development and it would be a developed state by 2015 if we are voted to power," he said.