Patna: Chief minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday blasted the Opposition, saying some people indulge in caste and vote bank politics, while his government believes in the politics of inclusive development with justice, irrespective of whether or not anybody votes for him. He said that those who are interested in development and welfare would like him.
"Some people just wag their tongues and are busy cobbling up caste equations. They think about votes in every work. I don't believe in caste or caste-based equations. I believe in work. My aim is development with justice for all whether or not they vote for me," Nitish said. The Bihar chief minister was speaking after unveiling the statue of social reformer and former mukhiya (panchayat head) Subedar Singh at a college in his name at Kargahar in Rohtas district.
Though Nitish did not take the name of any Opposition party, his statement is being perceived as an attack on the RJD, seen as a party having a wide base among the Yadavs who constitute around 14 per cent of voters in Bihar. RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav had launched a Twitter tirade against Nitish recently.
Appealing to the people to ensure education for their children, Nitish saluted Subedar Singh, who despite being illiterate was so keen about spreading education that he became associated with Triveni Sangh - an association of people belonging to backward castes - and donated seven acres of his land to establish a college at a time when even schools were scarce in the state.
Talking about inclusive development, Nitish said there were still some families who do not know about welfare schemes run by the government, nor have ration cards to avail the benefits of the Public Distribution System (PDS).
"An intensive survey is on across the state to earmark such families. A special scheme is being conceptualised to bring them to the mainstream of development," Nitish said.
The chief minister also spoke about the Bihar Rajya Fasal Sahayata Yojana, which will replace the centrally-sponsored crop insurance scheme in the state and informed farmers that they will not have to pay anything to avail its benefits, and at the same time will be able to take benefits of various other compensations given for agriculture.
Nitish said he implemented prohibition on the demand of women and it was now the responsibility of people to ensure its continuity. He said the state government is ensuring alternative employment for those whose livelihoods were hit. He said some people were indulging in liquor trade in cahoots with some officials and the state government will take tough action against them.
