PATNA: CM Nitish Kumar on Sunday indirectly hinted that he might get removed midway like Karpoori Thakur because, like the veteran socialist leader, he has been working for the welfare and progress of all sections of the society.
“Karpoori Thakur ji, as the CM, worked for the welfare of all sections of the society. But he was removed from the post within two years. We too are working in the interest of all sections of society. Sometimes, some people get annoyed because of working in the interest of all sections of the society,” Nitish said at the Jannayak Karpoori Thakur birth anniversary function organised at JD(U) headquarters.
Thakur had taken oath as Bihar CM on December 22, 1970 but quit within six months on June 2, 1971. He became the CM again on June 24, 1977, but was compelled to resign on April 21, 1979 before completing even two years in the office. Nitish was referring to Thakur’s second term as the CM.
Nitish also said he and his party had been trying their best to follow the ideals of great leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar, Ram Manohar Lohia, Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan and Karpoori Thakur. “We did work for the development of all regions of the state and people of all strata of the society by following the principle of ‘Development with Justice.’ Whatever policies we framed, they benefited all sections of the society,” Nitish said.
“Since the first day of my coming to power in November 2005, several schemes have been implemented to ensure the progress of the people belonging to the SC, ST, minorities, extremely backward classes and women. Some special initiatives were taken to bring the people living on the margins into the mainstream of the society. Women were provided 50% reservation in the panchayati raj institutions at the grassroots level,” Nitish said.
Reminding the people about the bad governance during Lalu-Rabri regime, Nitish said every senior person in the state knew as to what was the situation during the previous regime. “What was the situation earlier? People did not use to come out of their home after sunset. What was the condition of roads in those days?” Nitish quipped and asked the party men to inform the new generation about the dark days of the previous governments in Bihar.
On this occasion, JD(U) also decided to name its all district and block level offices after Karpoori Thakur. “Henceforth, all JD(U) offices at the district and block level will be known as ‘Karpoori Bhawan’,” the party’s state general secretary Navin Kumar Arya said.
JD(U) national president RCP Singh and many other senior party leaders also addressed the event.