Bihar package expected to be announced on Aug 18: Rudy

The special economic package promised to Bihar is expected to be announced on August 18 at Ara in the state, Union Minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy said here today.
"I think the package which is to be announced, the special announcement will most likely take place on 18th (August) in Ara. I hope so. People of Bihar will elect BJP in the next government, which is going to be a full majority government of the BJP along with its alliance partners in Bihar. I am sure these sweeping changes are visible in Bihar," the Union Minister of State for Skill Development (independent charge) told reporters.

Claiming that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's "credibility" came to end the day he joined hands with RJD chief Lalu Prasad, Rudy said the development confirmed the formation of BJP government in the state.
"I think we are heading for a sweeping and landslide victory in Bihar. There is a whole wave in favour of the BJP. We are going to sweep the elections," he said.
Hitting out at the Congress for stalling the just-concluded Parliament session, he alleged that the opposition party was scuttling economic progress in the country and "conspired against the nation" by not letting the Parliament take up important issues like GST.

"When anyone works together to stall the economic progress, which they have agreed upon as I said, which is in the interests of the country and they all come to stall it, definitely it is a conspiracy against the country, the nation where you stall the economic reforms which was mooted by you.

"Even if you have an iota of conviction or feeling for this country that all these steps are in the interest of the poor, farmers, those who are poorest, no political party would have made such an attempt. Their agenda is to stall the economic reforms, which the BJP is not going to accept at any cost," he said.

The policy of Congress is to protect the "family", whereas the BJP's policy is to protect the country, the minister said.
"We are surprised how the leadership of the Congress party stepped into the Well of the House, whatever you have seen on (TV) screens, it's a fact. The very idea of holding this press conference is to tell the people of the country that what you are seeing...It is not an act of protest. It is a conspiracy against the growing formula, which is taken by Mr Narendra Modi. It's a conspiracy against the nation. We have accepted it as a challenge," he said.