Political parties suggest change of Bihar election dates

PATNA: The Election Commission’s (EC) indication that the Bihar assembly polls could be held in September-October, has political parties worried as they see it an inappropriate time for polls. Large swathes of north Bihar would be battling yearly flood in September, while October is packed with festivals.

The ruling JD(U) said the EC should ensure that people are not inconvenienced in any way when it finalised the poll schedule. "The new government will have to be constituted by November 24. But September normally is the period when most parts of North Bihar is affected by floods. October is marked by numerous religious festivals. So EC should factor in such difficulties while finalising the polling dates" JD(U) spokesperson Neeraj Kumar said.

The Rashtriyal Lok Samata Party (RLSP) president and Union minister of state for HRD Upendra Kushwaha has demanded that the election be advanced to July-August keeping in view difficulties the people may face on account of the festive season in October.

BJP too felt EC should finalise the dates keeping in view Dusshera. "People generally are quite busy for nearly 10 days due to their involvement in puja festival in October. I think the EC is aware of all this and even the problem of flood," BJP chief Mangal Pandey said.

State Congress chief Ashok Choudhary said, "EC has not finalised the dates but the people will have to encounter difficulties in October, on account of so many religious festivals." The RJD, however, said it was ready to face assembly elections at any given time set by EC. "The EC is free to hold the election at any time. Even if it is flood or scorching summer, the RJD will have no grudge to face the battle all the time. We are ready to face the elections, the EC should just finalise the dates," said senior RJD functionary Mundrika Singh.