Jan Suraaj Alleges Fund Misuse in Bihar Election Aftermath

The Jan Suraaj party has leveled serious allegations against the ruling NDA alliance, claiming that approximately ₹14,000 crore was improperly diverted from World Bank funds following the recent Bihar Assembly elections. Party spokesperson Pavan Verma asserted that a portion of this money was allocated as ₹10,000 payments to women voters under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana, a scheme aimed at empowering women in the state.

In an interview with the news agency ANI, Verma stated that the central government used funds intended for other projects to finance the payments to approximately 1.25 crore women voters. He expressed concern over the timing of these transactions, claiming that the funds were redistributed just before the election’s moral code of conduct came into effect. “An hour before the moral code of conduct for the polls, ₹14,000 crore were taken out and distributed,” he alleged.

Bihar is currently grappling with significant public debt, which Verma noted has reached ₹406,000 crore, accruing interest daily at a rate of ₹63 crore. He emphasized that the state’s financial situation is dire, calling it “empty,” and questioned the ethical implications of redirecting World Bank funds in this manner.

Verma acknowledged that while these claims are based on their information, they could be incorrect. “If it is wrong, I seek forgiveness. But if it is true, then the question arises as to how far this is ethical,” he remarked. He also suggested that it is possible for the government to reallocate funds and subsequently justify the actions after the elections.

Despite the controversy surrounding the fund distribution, Jan Suraaj faced challenges in the elections, failing to secure any seats. Verma reflected on the party’s performance, stating, “You make promises, and the other party gives money.” He noted that many voters felt uncertain about receiving the promised funds if the NDA was not re-elected, which reportedly affected voter sentiment.

Verma further elaborated on the impact of social welfare schemes like the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana. He recalled Prime Minister Modi‘s earlier criticisms of such initiatives, questioning their effectiveness in the context of Bihar’s elections. “Maybe he had said it in the context of the Delhi Assembly and former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. Now what happened in Bihar?” he asked.

In addressing additional factors that may have contributed to the party’s poor performance, Verma dismissed suggestions that their losses were linked to founder Prashant Kishor‘s proposal to lift the liquor ban in Bihar. He pointed out that liquor is widely available at inflated prices, arguing that this situation adversely affects household management for many women.

As the political landscape in Bihar continues to evolve, Jan Suraaj’s allegations add another layer of complexity to the aftermath of the Assembly elections. The scrutiny over fund allocation and ethical governance is likely to persist as political discussions unfold in the state.