Shimla, Nov. 8 -- After the high voter turnout in the Bihar elections, former union minister and BJP MP from Hamirpur, Anurag Thakur, on Friday said the people of Bihar have clearly sided with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief minister Nitish Kumar, asserting that the coalition will prevail over the Opposition in the ongoing state elections. "The clear signal from Bihar is that the people are with the five Pandavas - Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Nitish Kumar, Chirag Paswan, Jitan Ram Manjhi, and Upendra Kushwaha. Together, they will outweigh the Kauravas," said Thakur during an event held in Shimla to mark 150 years of 'Vande Mataram'. Responding to questions about the first phase of polling in Bihar, the BJP leader said that a higher voter turnout reflected the people's trust in the NDA government. He also lauded the Election Commission for ensuring fair elections by cleaning up electoral rolls. Taking dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Anurag said, "Rahul Gandhi is making a mockery of himself and the Congress every time he speaks. He should check his facts before making baseless claims. He insults constitutional institutions and demeans Indian democracy on global platforms." Dismissing the claims of factionalism in Himachal BJP , Anurag, said "We are all united." Himachal chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, on various platforms, has been talking of five factions in Himachal BJP -- one group led by Jai Ram, the second by JP Nadda, third by Anurag, fourth by Bindal, and fifth by leaders who defected from the Congress to the BJP. Sukhu has been targeting BJP on "factionalism" by saying that the BJP's state leaders are fighting for their political survival On the issue of disaster relief funds for Himachal, Thakur said that PM's Rs.1,500 crore relief package that would be disbursed appropriately. "The PM announced the amount voluntarily for disaster-affected regions of Himachal. The funds will reach the intended areas. He has always stood with Himachal, without anyone having to ask," Thakur added. Former chief minister and leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur retorting to CM Sukhu's statement regarding not receiving Rs.1,500 crore relief announced by PM Modi, said, "Modi ji has always delivered what he promises. The funds will go where they are actually needed --disaster-hit families, farmers, and horticulturists--who lost their homes, gardens, or loved ones, not for running the state government or paying ministers' expenses." He accused the Congress government of failing to utilise its own resources for disaster relief in 2023. To commemorate the 150th anniversary of the national song 'Vande Mataram', headquarters of the Army Training Command (ARTRAC) organised a grand mass recital at The Ridge, Shimla, on Friday. Similarly, a special programme was organised at the Raj Bhavan. Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla was present. The event also witnessed special participation of the students from Buddha post graduate college, Kushinagar (Uttar Pradesh)....