₹14,000cr World Bank funds diverted to Bihar women voters: Kishor’s party after poll loss
The recent Bihar state assembly elections have been marred by controversy, with Prashant Kishor’s party Jan Suraaj alleging that the ruling NDA government, led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, diverted a staggering ₹14,000 crore from World Bank funds to give ₹10,000 cash transfers to 1.25 crore women voters in the state. This bombshell claim has sent shockwaves throughout the political landscape of Bihar, with many questioning the legitimacy of the electoral process.
According to Jan Suraaj party spokesman Pavan Verma, the funds were diverted just an hour before the Model Code of Conduct came into effect for the recently-concluded Bihar polls. This timing is particularly suspect, as it suggests that the NDA government may have been attempting to influence the outcome of the election by buying the loyalty of women voters. The fact that Jan Suraaj, which was founded by Prashant Kishor, a renowned election strategist, did not win any seats in the election, has only added fuel to the fire, with many speculating that the party’s allegations may be motivated by sour grapes.
However, the seriousness of the allegations cannot be dismissed lightly. If true, the diversion of ₹14,000 crore from World Bank funds would be a massive scandal, with far-reaching implications for the people of Bihar and the country as a whole. The World Bank provides funding to developing countries like India for specific projects and programs aimed at promoting economic development and reducing poverty. The diversion of these funds for political purposes would be a gross misuse of international aid and a betrayal of the trust placed in the Indian government by the global community.
The cash transfer scheme, which was announced by the NDA government just before the election, was touted as a measure to empower women in Bihar by providing them with financial assistance. However, Jan Suraaj’s allegations suggest that the scheme may have been designed to influence the voting behavior of women, who constitute a significant proportion of the electorate in Bihar. The fact that the funds were diverted just before the Model Code of Conduct came into effect suggests that the NDA government may have been trying to circumvent the rules and use the cash transfer scheme as a tool to sway the election in their favor.
The implications of this scandal go beyond the realm of politics. If the allegations are true, it would mean that the NDA government has been reckless and irresponsible in its use of public funds. The diversion of ₹14,000 crore from World Bank funds would have serious consequences for the development projects and programs that were meant to benefit the people of Bihar. The state is already one of the poorest in India, and the misuse of international aid would only exacerbate the problems of poverty, inequality, and lack of access to basic services like healthcare and education.
The people of Bihar deserve answers to these serious allegations. The NDA government must come clean on the diversion of World Bank funds and provide a detailed account of how the cash transfer scheme was funded and implemented. The Election Commission of India, which is responsible for ensuring the integrity of the electoral process, must also investigate these allegations and take action against any wrongdoing.
In conclusion, the allegations made by Jan Suraaj are serious and deserve to be investigated thoroughly. The diversion of ₹14,000 crore from World Bank funds for political purposes would be a scandal of epic proportions, with far-reaching consequences for the people of Bihar and the country as a whole. As the people of Bihar look to the future and the new government that has been formed, they deserve to know the truth about the allegations of corruption and misuse of power that have been made against the NDA government.
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