CM Nitish Kumar slams RJD over quota issue

PATNA: Chief minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday slammed the RJD over the issue of reservation, the main poll plank of Mahagathbandhan in Bihar, saying the party should explain how much reservation it provided to scheduled caste, scheduled tribe and other backward class communities in the 2001 panchayat elections when Rabri Devi was the chief minister of the state.
Addressing a public meet at Maner in support of BJP’s nominee from Pataliputra Lok Sabha constituency Ram Kripal Yadav, Nitish said his government provided 16% reservation to SC, 1% to ST and 20% to OBC in panchayati raj institutions (PRIs) in 2006, just three months after the formation of the NDA government in Bihar in November 2005.
The CM said people should ask such parties which apprehend threat to reservation in the country to explain what they have done for the welfare of backward classes, women and others.
Without naming RJD chief Lalu Prasad, Nitish said, “Pati andar gaye to patni ko mukhyamantri bana diya, kaha mahila mukhyamantri bani. It was not women empowerment, but politics of convenience.”
He added, “Bihar became the first state to provide 50% reservation to women in PRIs and municipalities. Gone are the days when women would not leave their homes in the state. Things have changed now as more than one lakh women are public representatives and they are working for the welfare of people.”
Nitish also talked about Jeevika, an initiative of the state government. “Our government has tirelessly worked to improve the education system, road infrastructure and healthcare in the state,” the CM said.
Referring to the Balakot airstrike, Nitish said under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country’s image has improved. “His (Modi’s) quick action against terrorism has boosted the morale of security forces and the citizens of the country,” he said.
Nitish thanked the Centre for allotting Rs 50,000 crore for construction of roads and highways in Bihar. “The Centre has adopted many roads in Bihar. The state government has also made several roads and highways. Now, the focus is on maintenance of these roads,” the CM said.