PATNA: The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) on Thursday assured full support to CM Nitish Kumar in demanding caste-based census in the country and grant of special category status to Bihar from the Centre.
“The RJD will stand with the CM as far as these issues are concerned. He should take a bold decision,” party’s state president Jagadanand Singh told mediapersons here. He advised Nitish to take “bold steps” and remove those ministers from his cabinet who oppose his policies.
Singh added leader of opposition in state assembly Tejashwi Prasad Yadav wants to be with the CM in matters related to betterment of people in the state.
“Caste-based census will help formulation of policies for the benefit of the poor and suppressed sections of the society,” Singh said. “In any government, a CM has the right to take decisions. Nitish should remove those ministers who oppose his policies,” he added.
Singh also reminded Nitish of the controversial DNA statement which PM Narendra Modi had made during the 2015 assembly election in Bihar. “No one can dare to do the DNA test of people of Bihar. Since Independence, whenever people of this state wanted, they succeeded overthrowing the government in the country,” Singh said. He added the RJD would also support government on steps being taken to tackle Covid pandemic in the state. “The government, however, should ensure that the poor and daily-wage workers do not face trouble,” he said.
Senior JD(U) functionary K C Tyagi said the special status for Bihar and caste-based census in the country were not the issues of a particular party. “The CM has been raising these issues for long. As far as special status is concerned, it is related to the pride and prestige of Bihar and I am happy that RJD is also supporting it,” Tyagi said.
“Just giving grants to Bihar is not enough. Nobody will set up industrial units in Madhepura or Saharsa, leaving Chennai or Ahmadabad, if s/he is not given any incentive,” Tyagi said.
Meanwhile, the BJP has downplayed the statement of the RJD state president. BJP’s OBC morcha national general secretary Nikhil Anand said the RJD functionaries were daydreaming.
He also reminded the RJD of how Nitish had parted ways with them after forming the government in 2015.
“The RJD is desperate to come to power in the state. They should first play the role of a good opposition,” he said.
