NDA's 26-Second Manifesto: Congress Critiques Governance

Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot criticized the ruling NDA for releasing its Bihar assembly elections manifesto during a 26-second press conference, suggesting they feared journalist inquiries. Gehlot called the manifesto a 'string of lies' and questioned why Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary, instead of CM Nitish Kumar, addressed the event.

Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot lambasted the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Friday for unveiling its manifesto ahead of the Bihar assembly elections at an unusually brief 26-second press conference. Gehlot accused the NDA of being too afraid to face the media's questions about its governance record.

Gehlot described the NDA's manifesto as a "string of lies" and expressed surprise over Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary speaking on the manifesto instead of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. He questioned whether Kumar was deliberately sidelined or unable to comment on the party's promises.

Also present at the press meet, Congress MP Akhilesh Prasad Singh claimed the absence of Kumar in the manifesto announcement disrespected Bihar and its people. Gehlot suggested that NDA should have started its briefing with a report card of its 20 years in power in Bihar.

(With inputs from agencies.)