Patna, November 18: Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party on Saturday accused Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s government of diverting a World Bank loan to fund pre-election handouts, a day after the fledgling outfit failed to win any seats in its debut state election.
Jan Suraaj national president Uday Singh alleged that the state government channelled ₹14,000 crore from a World Bank-funded project to distribute cash benefits ahead of the two-phase assembly polls. He claimed that between June and the election announcement, the administration spent ₹40,000 crore on “doles and freebies” to influence voters.
Singh cited the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana, under which ₹10,000 was transferred to women’s bank accounts shortly before voting, saying the payments continued “till a day before polling” despite the model code of conduct.
“The scale was unprecedented. Even ₹14,000 crore from the World Bank loan was diverted,” Singh told reporters, adding that the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) would have been “decimated” without the spending.
Party leader Pavan Verma made similar accusations, claiming the funds came from a ₹21,000-crore World Bank facility. He cautioned that the information could be inaccurate but said the alleged diversion raised ethical concerns. “An hour before the model code kicked in, ₹14,000 crore was taken out and distributed,” he said.
There was no immediate response from the Bihar government or NDA leaders. Singh also said fear of a return to “jungle raj” under the opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal prompted some Jan Suraaj supporters to vote for the NDA.
Official results showed the NDA winning 202 of 243 seats, securing a sweeping victory. The BJP won 89 seats and the Janata Dal (United) 85, while allies Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Hindustani Awam Morcha and Rashtriya Lok Morcha secured 19, five and four seats respectively.
The RJD-led Mahagathbandhan managed only 35 seats, with the RJD winning 25 — its second-worst performance since 2010. The Congress took six seats, the CPI(ML)L won two, and the CPI(M) one. AIMIM secured five seats, while the VIP drew a blank.
Bihar recorded its highest-ever voter turnout of over 66% in the November 6 and 11 polls.
