Bihar Election 2025: ’26-Second’ Press Meet, Nitish ‘Silenced’ – Opposition Tears Into NDA’s Manifesto
Bihar Election 2025: In a sharp attack on the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot on Friday termed the coalition’s Bihar assembly election manifesto a “string of lies”, claiming the document was released in a press conference that lasted just “26 seconds”.
Gehlot alleged that the NDA leaders were “afraid of facing questions from journalists” about their governance record during their two-decade rule in Bihar. He also questioned Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s silence at the event, suggesting that he was “not allowed to speak” about his own government’s promises.
‘Afraid to Face Questions’
“The NDA leaders’ press conference lasted merely 26 seconds. They were afraid to face questions from reporters about their governance and their manifesto,” Gehlot told reporters in Patna.
He further said the ruling alliance should have begun its press meet by presenting a “report card of their 20 years in power” before announcing new promises.
Joining Gehlot at the press meet, Congress Rajya Sabha MP Akhilesh Prasad Singh claimed Nitish Kumar’s silence amounted to “an insult to Bihar and Biharis.”
“Nitish Kumar was not allowed to speak at his own manifesto release. That’s disrespectful to the people of Bihar,” Singh said.
Bihar Election 2025:Nitish’s Silence Sparks Political Row
The NDA released its 69-page manifesto at a press conference attended by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, BJP national president JP Nadda, Union ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and Jitan Ram Manjhi, and LJP (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan.
According to reporters at the venue, the event ended in less than a minute, with only Deputy CM Choudhary remaining to take a few questions after the other leaders left. Organisers announced from the dais that the leaders had to leave for “poll-related engagements.”
The episode triggered criticism from opposition parties, who said the NDA was “stage-managing” the event to avoid tough questions about unemployment, rising prices, and law and order.
‘String of Lies’ and ‘Chilling Effect’
Gehlot accused the NDA of making tall promises without delivering on earlier ones. “The NDA’s manifesto is a string of lies. We will highlight this in our rallies and demand a report card of their 20 years of rule,” he said.
The Congress leader also said that Nitish Kumar’s silence reflected growing internal friction within the ruling coalition. “The chief minister’s inability to speak shows who really controls the NDA narrative,” he added.
Bihar Election 2025:NDA Defends Promises of Jobs, Growth
The NDA’s manifesto, released on Friday, promises one crore jobs, one crore “Lakhpathi Didis,” free education from KG to PG, seven expressways, and metro train services in four more cities.
It also includes plans for seven international airports, 10 industrial parks, and a Rs 2,000 monthly assistance for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students pursuing higher education. The alliance said it would build 50 lakh pucca houses and increase financial aid for farmers and fishermen.
Congress: ‘NDA Insulted Bihar’s People’
Opposition leaders accused the NDA of reducing the manifesto release to a “photo-op” and of disrespecting the people of Bihar.
“This entire exercise was a political gimmick. If they truly believed in transparency, Nitish Kumar would have answered questions directly,” Gehlot said.
He added that the Congress, along with the INDIA bloc allies, will “expose the false claims” made by the ruling coalition and remind voters of “the reality behind 20 years of promises.”
