Protestors lobbed onions at Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar during his election rally in Madhubani on Tuesday.
Kumar spoke about employment issues and endorsed his party nominee Sudhanshu Shekhar in Gangaue village during the third phase of assembly elections, according to National Herald India. The onions did not reach the stage, the outlet reported.
Communist Party of India senior leader A.B. Bardhan (L), Chief Minister of the Indian state of Bihar Nitish Kumar (C), and former Indian prime minister and leader of Janata Dal (Secular) party Deve Gowda address a joint press conference following a meeting of left and regional parties in New Delhi on February 25, 2014. AFP PHOTO/SAJJAD HUSSAIN (Photo credit should read SAJJAD HUSSAIN/AFP via Getty Images)
In response, Kumar told the protestors to “keep throwing,” and urged the security not to pay attention to them. He urged the crowed to “let [the protestors] go.” (RELATED: Multiple Storefronts Are Boarding Up Windows And Entrances Ahead Of Possible Election Day Protests And Violence In DC).
Kumar said that Bihar citizens will not have to search for employment in other states if reelected, the outlet reported. Bihar’s unemployment rate has exceeded the average in India, according to the The Economic Times.
Kumar criticized his opponent of the Democratic-leaning Rashtriya Janata Dalparty (RJD), Tejashwi Yadav, for promising one million government jobs when he had the opportunity to do that for 15 years. “We have given six lakh [600,000] jobs to the people during our time,” he said.
Another protestor threw a slipper at Kumar – and missed – when he walked toward his helicopter after delivering a speech on Oct. 26. At another rally in which he endorsed his party candidate Chandrika Roy, someone threw a slipper at him – and missed.