Bihar elections: New government before Diwali

Bihar elections, likely to be conducted in five phases, would be wrapped up by the end of October and the State would have a new government in place by November first week, a senior government official said.

Though the Election Commission is yet to announce poll dates, which is expected anytime, the NDA government wants the process to be completed before Diwali, which falls on November 11. It also wants the new government to get enough time to make arrangements for the Chatth Puja celebrations, celebrated six days after Diwali and one of the biggest festivals of Bihar. The term of the Assembly ends on November 29.

Last week the Election Commission officials conducted a meeting with the Home Ministry and chalked out a security plan. After assessing the demand of the State government and considering other parameters, the EC has asked for 6,000 Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel to be deployed during the elections. This is 1500 more than the 2009 Assembly elections.

“Besides political rivalry, the State is also affected by Maoist violence. We are leaving no stone unturned when it comes to security,” said a senior government official. The NDA government has already provided Z-plus security to Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) president and former Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi. Expelled RJD leader Pappu Yadav has been given ‘Y’ category security.

Courtesy: The Hindu