Daijiworld Media Network – Patna

Patna, Nov 10: Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) chief Mukesh Sahani has refuted reports claiming that he is unhappy with the opposition Grand Alliance (Mahagathbandhan) and is preparing to switch sides to join the NDA. Speaking exclusively to NDTV, Sahani asserted that the reports are “planted” and baseless, insisting that the Grand Alliance is set to form the next government in Bihar, with him as its Deputy Chief Ministerial candidate.

“When we are making a government, why would we be friends with the BJP? This news has been planted,” Sahani said. “Elections are being contested on my face and Tejashwi Yadav’s face. We are working hard day and night to ensure the Mahagathbandhan forms the government in Bihar. We have put our entire career at stake,” he added.

Addressing reports that he skipped a meeting in Bhojpur district’s Jitoura due to dissatisfaction with the alliance, Sahani blamed the BJP for creating hurdles for the Opposition, including flight delays. “We get permission late for meetings, while the BJP gets permission for 30 helicopters early in the morning. We are stopped at the airport for two to three hours, and our schedules are delayed on purpose by the BJP,” he alleged.

He further claimed that several of his campaign events had to be cancelled due to these delays. “Even yesterday we had to cancel meetings at four places. This is being done by the BJP,” he said.

Dismissing any speculation of his exit from the alliance ahead of the November 14 vote counting, Sahani said, “The BJP has destroyed its Nishad support base and won’t even get 25 seats in the first phase. People of Bihar — youth, all castes, and religions — have rejected them.”

Reaffirming his loyalty to the Mahagathbandhan, Sahani concluded, “I am a friend of the Grand Alliance, and this is a question of my political career. In such a situation, running false news about me is wrong.”