Giriraj Singh files papers, lashes out at Rahul Gandhi

BEGUSARAI: The filing of nomination papers by BJP’s Begusarai candidate Giriraj Singh was a low-key affair on Saturday as the leader refrained from using loudspeakers and making the programme a show of strength in view of death of seven people in a road accident in the district on Friday.


Giriraj, the Union minister for micro, small and medium enterprises (independent charge), reached the Begusarai collectorate after holding a brief procession in the town. “Friday’s accident was very disturbing. Hence, we decided to keep the nomination-filing programme a simple affair,” Giriraj told reporters.

The BJP’s firebrand leader said with PM Narendra Modi recently inaugurating and laying stones for projects worth Rs 36,000 crore from Begusarai, the people of the constituency would definitely vote for him. “People see Modi as an able and decisive PM and they will return him to power. Since I have been campaigning in the constituency for the last few days, I can say with certainty that people have decided to make me victorious to strengthen the hands of PM Modi,” Giriraj, who is pitted against former JNUSU president and CPI candidate Kanhaiya Kumar from Begusarai seat, said.

Giriraj also lashed out at Congress president Rahul Gandhi for his choice of words for the PM on a recent blog written by BJP veteran L K Advani. “Rahul does not know the culture of this country. This only shows him (Rahul) in a poor light and how low he could stoop for political benefits,” he said.

Local JD(U) MLA Narendra Singh alias Bogo Singh, former JD(U) MLC Rudal Rai and district JD(U) president Bhumipal Rai accompanied Giriraj when he filed his nomination papers.

A public meeting was also organised in G D College ground here. Deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi, BJP state president Nityanad Rai, urban development minister Suresh Sharma, state labour and social welfare minister Vijay Kumar Sinha and JD(U) general secretary R C P Singh addressed the meeting.

The deputy CM lashed out at Grand Alliance, saying all industrial units in the state were closed down during the 15-year RJD rule in the state.