Mallikarjun Kharge hit out at the NDA’s 20-year rule in Bihar, accusing Modi and Nitish Kumar of failing to create jobs and stop migration.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge addressing a press conference in Patna, criticising the NDA government’s performance in Bihar (Photo: File)
Patna: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday taunted the "double engine" NDA government in Bihar saying despite the fact for ruling Bihar for 20 years the people are forced to migrate from the state in search of better opportunities as no development work has been carried out.
He also jibed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for talking about development of Bihar during elections as there is massive unemployment and ligrat8on from the state.
Addressing a press conference here, Kharge, who is also the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha said, "For two decades there is BJP-Janata Dal United led government in Bihar and Modi led government at the centre for past 11 years. But if we talk about issues then the biggest problems with Bihar is inflation, unemployment, increasing migration and economic inequality."
He taunted the Prime Minister for talking about development only during elections and said, "There are no jobs and industries in Bihar and talks of developments are made by Modi only in his speeches."
Targeting the NDA government over corruption in construction of bridges in the state, the Congress leader said that bridges fall, all hospitals are in bad shape, there is lack of teachers in schools. And the youths who used to aspire to clear UPSC examinations are now forced to migrate from the state and are forced to work as labourers in other states."
He pointed out that the students who work hard are not able to get job opportunities and neither theyget respect.
"While there are cases of paper leaks in most of the competetive examination," he alleged.
Taking a dig at the Nitish Kumar-led NDA government in the state, he said, "To release their (NDA) manifesto, they brought (Chief Minister) Nitish Kumar and ended the presser within a minute.
"He (Nitish Kumar) has been in power for last 20 years, he should have at least waited for two minutes. This manifesto release programme was much faster than instant coffee machine," Kharge said taking a pot shot.
The Congress leader also alleged that Nitish Kumar has been hijacked in Bihar by the BJP.
"Everyone knows that Nitish Kumar has been hijacked by the BJP. This will go on like this till elections. After polls, Nitish Kumar will sidelined," he claimed.
Targeting the NDA, Kharge also said that whatever promises are being made for Bihar by Modi are only meant for announcements.
He said, "BJP's thinking is that they want to keep the youth of Bihar confined to manual labor. They want to keep them away from opportunities for advancement."
Firing salvos at the Prime Minister, Kharge asked, "Under the Modi government, all industries are set up where they are not needed. Couldn't Modi ji have set up a few industries in Bihar? This would have stopped the migration of Bihar's youth.
He also touched on the problems faced by the people of Bihar during Diwali and chhath puja, and said, "Every year, during Diwali and Chhath, I witness the hardships faced by passengers returning to Bihar at the railway station. Men, women, and the elderly risk their lives. I wonder why the Modi government doesn't want to find solutions to even these small problems faced by the people of Bihar."
Lamenting at the Prime Minister, Congress leader said that the NDA government is there in Bihar from last 20 years and yet he has to say that daughters and grooms are not safe in the state.
"Isnt this a self admission? The situation has not changed even after 20 years," he noted.
He also alleged that the real work of BJP-RSS leaders is to scare people, divide them and create conflicts for votes all the time.
He also described NDA as 'Nafrat, Dhokha and Ahankar' and said that this is their real identity.
He vowed that the Mahagatbandhan wants to connect Bihar not with hatred, deceit and arrogance, but with justice, trust and development.
Kharge also reminded people about the promises made to the peppke of Bihar by Mahagatbandhan and asserted that once voted to power, it eill provide job to one member of each family, Rs 2,500 to women (Rs 30,000 annually), 200 units of free electricity, health insurance worth Rs 25 lakh, Rs 300 under MGNREGA work and raise rhe reservation celining above 50 per cent.
he also recalled the promise of providing reservation on Panchayat to 30 per cent for PBC from the existing 20 pwr cent, 20 per cent reservation to SC from the existing 16 per cent and to end the form prices for youths and free travel for examinations.
Meanwhile, while addressing a public meeting in Rajapakar assembly seat in Vaishali district, around 40 km from headquarters Hajipur, Kharge lambasted Nitish Kumar for allegedly betraying the legacy of socialist icons like Jayaprakash Narayan, Ram Manohar Lohia and Karpoori Thakur and joining hands with “anti-women” BJP, which he said is a believer of ‘Manu Smriti’., he said
Kharge also mocked the Prime Minister for carrying out an intensive campaign in the state “as if it were his son’s wedding”.
“The Prime Minister has time to tour the world but not to take stock of the state of affairs in his country, where he is seen only at the time of elections. You can see Modi roaming through the streets of a city even during municipal polls. Even during Bihar assembly elections, he is so busy as if it is his son’s wedding,” he said.
He also criticised the BJP for dubbing g anyone who questions the government as anti national and sedition charges being pressed against them.
