The banners targeted Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar over the recent incidents of bridges collapsing in the state. One of the posters termed the CM, who led the efforts to unite opposition parties in Patna, as an unstable Prime Ministerial contender
Ahead of the opposition meeting in Bengaluru which will witness the presence of top leaders of 26 opposition parties, Bengaluru police removed posters and banners put up around the city targetting Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar which read, "The unstable Prime Ministerial contender."
The banners were put up at Bengaluru's Chalukya Circle, Windsor Manor Bridge and on the Airport road near Hebbal. One of the posters termed the Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who led the efforts to unite opposition parties in Patna, as an "unstable Prime Ministerial contender", criticising him for the Sultanganj Bridge collapse. Other banners read: "Nitish Kumar's gift to Bihar that keeps collapsing" and "The man who builds underwater bridges" -- referring to the incidents of bridges collapsing in Bihar in the last few months.
On June 4, an under construction bridge in Bhagalpur, Bihar, collapsed in two parts. The Aguwani Sultanganj Ganga bridge, with a staggering cost of over Rs 1,700 crore, was being constructed in Khagaria. The bridge had previously suffered damage due to a storm in April, further exacerbating the situation. This bridge, connecting Khagaria, Aguwani, and Sultanganj, had faced a partial collapse two years ago as well.
In December 2022, a bridge across Burhi Gandak river in Begusarai collapsed due to cracks and falling pillars. Another bridge collapse occurred in Nalanda district in November, resulting in the death of a laborer and injuries to another. Additionally, under-construction bridges in Kishanganj and Saharsa districts collapsed even before their inauguration, highlighting a disturbing trend.
Top leaders of 26 opposition parties arrived in Bengaluru for a two-day brainstorming session with a call for unity and are expected to chalk out their joint programme aimed at defeating the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar along with RJD chief Lalu Prasad and Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav will also be participating in the meeting.