Union Home Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Amit Shah on his first visit to Bihar after the release of caste-based survey report came down heavily on State Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad, accusing the government of engaging in politics of Muslim appeasement.
“To confuse the people of Bihar, the alliance recently released the caste-based survey in which the populations of Yadav and Muslim have been increased and the population of EBC (Extremely Backward Classes) has been decreased. Don’t fall into their trap. This is an injustice with the EBC and backward people,” Mr. Shah said, while addressing a rally in Muzaffarpur district of Bihar.
Muzaffarpur falls under Tirhut division of Bihar, which covers six districts, having a large vote bank of people from upper castes, OBCs and EBCs. Holding a rally at this place sent a bigger message among the core voters of the BJP. The six districts are Muzaffarpur, West Champaran, East Champaran, Vaishali, Sitamarhi and Seohar. Ever since, Mr. Kumar has snapped ties with the BJP, Mr. Shah has visited Bihar five times and this was his sixth visit.
Earlier, Mr. Shah had visited Purnea, Munger, Kishanganj, Saran and Madhubani districts.
Mr. Shah termed caste-based survey an eyewash. He alleged that under the pressure of Mr. Prasad, the population of EBC undercounted, whereas the Yadav and the Muslim population had increased. He dared Mr. Prasad to name an EBC candidate for the post of Prime Minister in the INDIA bloc as their numbers are highest in the survey report.
Extending his best wishes in advance to the people of Bihar for Chhath puja, Mr. Shah said that he will pray to Chhati Maiya to get rid from the jungle raj and paltu Ram (read Nitish Kumar as turncoat).
Mr. Shah accused that whenever people of Bihar have voted, Nitish Kumar has cheated the mandate by switching sides.
“Whenever people of Bihar have voted, the paltu Ram has cheated the mandate. You all voted against jungle raj of Lalu Prasad, but this Mr. Kumar cheated the people. Once again, the Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)] leader, Nitish Kumar, forced the State to face gundaraj and jungle raj. They are engaged in Muslim appeasement and if they are not stopped then Seemanchal region will land in trouble,“ Mr. Shah said.
He further added Mr. Kumar joined hands with people involved in “corruption, scams and chargesheeted to enjoy power”.
Mr. Kumar, who earlier used to oppose corruption, has joined hands with those involved in scams, corruption and chargesheeted for the sake of enjoying power.
Mr. Shah claimed that the RJD and the JD(U) are running family politics in which one wants to become Prime Minister and another one wants his son to be the Chief Minister.
“Nitish babu, forget the post of Prime Minister, the INDIA bloc did not even consider your name for the post of convener. Now you are gone. I had told this earlier as well that water and oil cannot stay together; they will always be separated. Now you will see what kind of days Lalu ji will show you. Now every day, he (read Nitish Kumar) is feeling uneasy and wants to get rid of Lalu ji but there is no way left,” Mr. Shah said.
Targeting the Indian National Developmental, Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc, Mr. Shah alleged that when they got the opportunity to rule the opposition did a scam of ₹12 lakh crore and presently their only agenda is to oppose Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Reminding the earlier performance of BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Bihar, Mr. Shah said in 2014 – the NDA had won 31 seats followed by 39 seats in 2019 – and now the people of Bihar should ensure to give all 40 seats to Mr. Modi. He also urged the people that in the 2025 Assembly election, they should vote in their favour so that the BJP can form the government alone.
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav termed Mr. Shah’s speech ‘nonsense’, claiming that if there is a fault in caste-based survey report then the Centre should do it on its own.
“If there is any fault in the caste-based survey then he (Centre) should conduct it across the country, who has stopped the government. They should also conduct caste based surveys in all the BJP ruled states. The minister in the Union Cabinet belongs to which caste, EBC or OBC? How many Chief Ministers are from the OBC and the EBC in the BJP-ruled State? He speaks nonsense and comes to Bihar to tell lies because he has nothing much to say,” Mr. Yadav said.
