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Hindustan Times
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Mafia Raj of past kept Bihar poor, it is now set for high growth: Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the Congress and the RJD had hurt the pride of Bihar and kept the state poor 'due to mafia raj, goonda raj and corruption' despite zealously announced slogan 'Garibi Hatao' being there for generations. But the state, he said, was now set for a development leap. The PM was speaking at Siwan after laying the foundation stone and inaugurating multiple development projects worth ₹11,000 crore, which include new Vaishali-Deoria railway line with a new train service on the route and another Vande Bharat Express between Pataliputra and Gorakhpur via Muzaffarpur and Bettiah. He also flagged off a state-of-the-art locomotive -- the first built at Marhowra plant for export to the Republic of Guinea. Modi said that the 'License Raj' of the Congress did not allow Bihar to move out of poverty and the worst sufferers were the deprived lot from Dalit, Mahadalit, Other Backward Classes and Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs), while in the last 11 years a record 25 crore Indians had moved out of poverty and the feat has drawn praise from institutions like the World Bank. 'Bihar under chief minister Nitish Kumar played a key role in it, as 3.75-crore people from the state have pulled themselves out of poverty. Despite so many years of independence, half the population lived below the poverty line. People struggled to beat poverty, as they could not find a way to beat it. The state was reduced to be a centre of migration. Now, it is time to be wary of the same forces that kept it poor as they are again desperate for power while the state has prepared the launchpad for rapid growth,' he added. He said that the 'panja' and 'lantern' (Congress and RJD party symbols) worked with a simple motive of 'Parivar Ka Saath Aur Parivar Ka Vikas' (Support to family, growth to family), while the NDA works for 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' (Growth for all). 'Their interest never goes beyond family and they don't even spare Baba Saheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar,' he said, referring to the controversy surrounding Baba Saheb's picture purportedly kept near the feet of RJD chief Lalu Prasad on the latter's birthday. 'I have noticed posters seeking an apology for the insult of Baba Saheb. The entire country saw what RJD did to Baba Saheb, but they will not apologise. Ambedkar remains in the heart of Modi, while they keep it at their feet. They made false promises of 'Garibi Hatao' to people and filled their coffers, while our government has already built four crore houses for the poor and three crore more are being built. Modi is not the kind to get satisfied with work already done for the poor, as a lot more needs to be done to ensure that not a single person is left out, as you all are my family' he said. He warned that those who brought 'jungle raj' to Bihar were looking for an opportunity to repeat their old deeds. 'You have to be very cautious for the bright future of your children. People who are ready to put the brakes on Bihar's developmental journey have to be kept at bay, as a prosperous Bihar is important for a prosperous India,' he added. Remembering India's first President Dr Rajendra Prasad, Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narain and social reformer Braj Kishor Prasad, he said Siwan was the land that lent strength to democracy and Constitution and played a big role in the freedom movement. 'We are trying to take the same spirit forward with inclusive growth so that nobody is discriminated against and even the world recognises India's growth journey to be the third largest economy. I have faith in your abilities, as you are the ones who ended jungle Raj and then worked with the NDA to put the state on track,' he added. The PM said that Marhowra rail factory is an example of the kind of Bihar NDA striving to create. 'With the export of locomotives, Saran, which was abandoned by the RJD as backward, has made its place on the global map. Jungle Raj had stalled the growth engine, but now Bihar's engine will run in Africa. Bihar will be a big centre for make in India and contribute to the nation's growth,' he said, adding more projects and development initiatives would take Bihar towards a bright future and make life easy for all through increased opportunities. Highlighting the transformative journey of Bihar, the PM said in the last 10-11 years over 55,000 kms of rural roads had been built, 1.5-crore houses had got power connection and tap water, 45,000 common service centres had been started and now there was a wave of start-up in towns and cities. 'We are striving to remove every hurdle for the poor. The houses that people have got are not just four walls, but other places to nurture dreams and resolve. Bihar alone has got 57 lakh pucca houses, out of which 1.10-lakh are for Siwan alone. Over 50,000 families have got instalments for their houses today,' he added. He said that with the new train, now the two pilgrim places of Baba Hariharnarh and Baba Gorakhnath have been connected. 'Buddhist places have also got train connectivity. Such projects will boost tourism and create more opportunities,' he said, starting off his speech in Bhojpuri to connect with the masses. Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, union ministers Jitan Ram Manjhi, Giriraj Singh, Lalan Singh, Chirag Paswan, Ramnath Thakur, Nityanand Rai, Satishchandra Dubey, Raj Bhushan Choudhary,Deputy CMs Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, state ministers, including Health minister Mangal Pandey, former union minister Upendra Kushwaha and several others were present on the occasion. Nitish Kumar thanked the PM for focussing on Bihar's rapid developments through a lot of new projects and programmes, cited special financial assistance in the union budgets and termed the Centre's decision to hold caste-based Census a big initiative. Referring to the Opposition's attack, he said that 'they keep speaking absurd things, while the changed reality is for all to see'. 'What was the situation prior to 2005? Today, the presence of so many women at the rally indicates the positive change that the state has witnessed. Earlier the girls did not even venture out of home,' he added. Fourth visit this year This is PM's fourth visit to Bihar this year and third since April 24 in what is viewed as a build up for the crucial state elections scheduled in October-November. He reached the venue in a road show, waving to the people from an open vehicle along with CM Nitish Kumar and Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary. Siwan is significant, as it is the birthplace of India's first President Rajendra Prasad and remained an RJD stronghold due to sizable population of Muslims and Yadavs and emergence of late Bahubali Md Shahabuddin. Projects In keeping with the government's focus on conservation and rejuvenation of river Ganga, the PM also inaugurated six Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) under the Namami Gange project worth over ₹1,800 crore catering to the needs of people in the region. He also laid the foundation stone for water supply, sanitation and STPs worth over ₹3,000 crore in various towns across Bihar aiming to provide clean and safe drinking water to the citizens of these towns. He also laid the foundation stone for 500 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) capacity in Bihar. Standalone BESS are being installed at 15 grid substations of the state, including Muzaffarpur, Motihari, Bettiah, Siwan among others. The capacity of the battery to be installed in each sub-station is between 20 to 80 MWh. It will save the distribution companies from buying electricity at expensive rates by feeding the already stored electricity back to the grid directly benefiting the consumers. The Prime Minister also released the first instalment to more than 53,600 beneficiaries of PMAY-U in Bihar. He handed over keys to a few beneficiaries to mark the Grih Pravesh Ceremony of more than 6,600 completed houses of PMAY U.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
BJP mounts pressure on Lalu to apologise over Ambedkar issue
Patna: BJP is mounting pressure on RJD chief Lalu Prasad to apologise for allegedly disrespecting the portrait of BR Ambedkar on June 11. The matter is related to Lalu's birthday on June 11. A video went viral on social media in which an RJD worker is seen placing a picture of Ambedkar as a gift near Lalu's feet on the table on his birthday. Lalu neither touched the picture nor uttered a word. Senior BJP leader and deputy CM Samrat Choudhary on Wednesday said though dalits in Congress and RJD want Lalu to apologise, but his family members resist it. BJP national spokesperson Syed Shahnawaz Hussain said the party will not rest till Lalu sought public apology for disrespecting Baba Saheb. Posters were put up at various places in Patna by the Bihar Pasmanda Foundation with a caption: "Pasmanda dalits ask, when will the Lalu family apologise?" However, RJD spokesperson Ejaz Ahmad said Lalu gave voice to the poor in Bihar and always advised their children to be educated and follow the principles of B R Ambedkar. JD(U) national spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan Prasad also said Lalu should respect the sentiments of his party supporters among the dalits and Pasmanda Muslim community and apologise. Samrat posted on X: "There is an internal turmoil in RJD and Bihar Congress over the insult of Baba Saheb. It is being discussed that dalit workers of both the parties believe that Lalu or Tejashwi Prasad Yadav should apologise by expressing public regret on the unfortunate incident of insulting Baba Saheb. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Quito: Ecuatorianos: generen un segundo ingreso con Amazon CFD. InvestIQ Registrarse Undo But the family is not ready for this. Lalu's family says come what may, they will not apologise." He further stated: "This is an internal matter of RJD. But, the way the demand for an apology from Lalu family is being made from all sides, the anger of dalit-backward workers of his party is natural. But only the family will rule," he said. BJP leaders on Tuesday submitted a memorandum to governor Arif Mohammed Khan, demanding that Lalu should publicly apologise on this subject and strict guidelines should be issued to prevent recurrence of such incidents in future. Patna: BJP is mounting pressure on RJD chief Lalu Prasad to apologise for allegedly disrespecting the portrait of BR Ambedkar on June 11. The matter is related to Lalu's birthday on June 11. A video went viral on social media in which an RJD worker is seen placing a picture of Ambedkar as a gift near Lalu's feet on the table on his birthday. Lalu neither touched the picture nor uttered a word. Senior BJP leader and deputy CM Samrat Choudhary on Wednesday said though dalits in Congress and RJD want Lalu to apologise, but his family members resist it. BJP national spokesperson Syed Shahnawaz Hussain said the party will not rest till Lalu sought public apology for disrespecting Baba Saheb. Posters were put up at various places in Patna by the Bihar Pasmanda Foundation with a caption: "Pasmanda dalits ask, when will the Lalu family apologise?" However, RJD spokesperson Ejaz Ahmad said Lalu gave voice to the poor in Bihar and always advised their children to be educated and follow the principles of B R Ambedkar. JD(U) national spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan Prasad also said Lalu should respect the sentiments of his party supporters among the dalits and Pasmanda Muslim community and apologise. Samrat posted on X: "There is an internal turmoil in RJD and Bihar Congress over the insult of Baba Saheb. It is being discussed that dalit workers of both the parties believe that Lalu or Tejashwi Prasad Yadav should apologise by expressing public regret on the unfortunate incident of insulting Baba Saheb. But the family is not ready for this. Lalu's family says come what may, they will not apologise." He further stated: "This is an internal matter of RJD. But, the way the demand for an apology from Lalu family is being made from all sides, the anger of dalit-backward workers of his party is natural. But only the family will rule," he said. BJP leaders on Tuesday submitted a memorandum to governor Arif Mohammed Khan, demanding that Lalu should publicly apologise on this subject and strict guidelines should be issued to prevent recurrence of such incidents in future.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Cong to start campaign for installation of Ambedkar statue in HC
Bhopal: State Congress will hold a three-day Jan Jagaran public awareness campaign on the controversy over the installation of Dr BR Ambedkar's statue in the Gwalior high court premises. On June 23, Congress workers will go door-to-door speaking to people about the controversy. The next day, they will hold a community feast in poor settlements, and on June 25, the party leadership will observe a hunger protest in Gwalior. Over the last few months, there was a dispute over the installation of Babasaheb Dr BR Ambedkar's statue in the Gwalior high court premises. While some lawyers supported the installation, others maintained a distance on the issue. The Congress party, meanwhile, was running a campaign for the installation of the statue. On Tuesday morning, a joint press conference was held at the state Congress office, addressed by Madhya Pradesh affairs in-charge Harish Chaudhary, PCC chief Jitu Patwari, LOP Umang Singhar, former chief minister and Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh, and MLA Phool Singh Baraiya. Congress stated that not permitting the installation of the statue in the Gwalior high court premises means denying Dr BR Ambedkar's contribution to the framing of the Constitution. Former Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh said, "The decision to make Baba Saheb the chairman of the Constituent Assembly was taken on the advice of Mahatma Gandhi, so that the oppressed class gets representation. BN Rao was only an advisor, not a member of the Constituent Assembly. It is wrong to deny Baba Saheb's contribution in his name. RSS burnt the Constitution and opposed the tricolour, now it is opposing Baba Saheb's statue and his contribution. BJP's silence and double character is clear in this matter." Posters in Gwalior claimed that Dr Ambedkar was not the real framer of the Constitution. Congress party Madhya Pradesh affairs in-charge Harish Chaudhary said, "It is unfortunate to create a controversy over the installation of Baba Saheb's statue in the Gwalior High Court premises. Under a well-planned conspiracy, the contribution of the maker of the Constitution is being questioned. Such controversies are starting from the Nagpur headquarters of the RSS. Congress will strongly put its point of view among the public on this issue and will protect the honour of Baba Saheb. " State Congress president Jitu Patwari alleged, "In Madhya Pradesh, BJP and RSS are conspiring to insult Baba Saheb. In Gwalior, through posters, it is being propagated that Baba Saheb was not the architect of the Constitution. Congress will run a massive public awareness campaign in honour of Baba Saheb and the Constitution from June 23 to 25." LOP Umang Singhar argued, "BJP and RSS are trying to change the history of the country and promote class struggle. Baba Saheb is being targeted because he belonged to the Dalit class. Congress's policy is to take all classes along, while BJP divides the society for votes." Reacting to the Congress' allegation, state BJP president VD Sharma said, "History is witness that Congress and Nehru family have always been against Bharat Ratna Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar. This is the same family party which not only insulted Baba Saheb while he was alive, but also did injustice to his ideas even after his death. Instead of running a three-day public awareness campaign on Baba Saheb from June 23, Congress should hold an apology march and fast for the anti-Baba Saheb act. The anti-Baba Saheb and anti-Constitution Congress party is doing drama to create class conflict in Madhya Pradesh." Sharma further said, "Digvijay Singh, Jeetu Patwari, Umang Singhar and Phool Singh Baraiya should apologise unconditionally to the people of the entire country for the ill-treatment of Babasaheb Ambedkar by the Congress party under Jawaharlal Nehru. It is BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi that are working to develop the places associated with Baba Saheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar as Panch Teerth to take his ideas forward. "
India Gazette
3 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
MP: Congress extends support to install Baba Saheb's statue on premises of Gwalior Bench of MP High Court
Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) [India], June 17 (ANI): Amid the ongoing tussle between two groups of lawyers about installing the statue of Baba Saheb B R Ambedkar on the premises of the Gwalior Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, the state Congress on Tuesday extended its support to install the statue. MP Congress Chief Jitu Patwari said that his party wants the statue of Baba Saheb to be installed on the court premises, stressing they are ready to hold all the political agitations and give it their all for the purpose. Addressing the media persons in Bhopal, Patwari said, 'Madhya Pradesh is the nursery of the BJP and RSS. The BJP government, their party workers and RSS have resolved how to insult Baba Saheb in the state. Since Union Minister Amit Shah remarked in Parliament against BR Ambedkar, the BJP people took a pledge to insult Baba Saheb. A poster is being widely spread in the Gwalior-Chambal division, portraying that the real architect of the Indian Constitution was not Baba Saheb but B.N. Rao. What kind of message is this? Is it an attempt to change the history of the country?' It is not only a matter of the Gwalior district that there is an attempt to stop the installation of the Baba Saheb statue on the court's premises. But before this, there were around two dozen issues in the state where the statue of Baba Saheb was attempted to be damaged. Patwari said the government remained silent and did not register any case in those matters. 'The Congress party wants the statue of Baba Saheb to be installed on the premises of the temple of justice (court). We are ready for all the political agitation and to give it our all for the purpose. Congress will also run a public awareness campaign against the insult to Baba Saheb being done in Madhya Pradesh. On June 23, Congress leaders will visit door to door and hold discussions about the constitution across the state. On June 24, the congress leaders will organise a feast in any village or locality with the poor people and discuss the constitution. On June 25, all the Congress leaders, including MLAs, district presidents and senior party leaders, will observe a day fast in Gwalior all together,' he added. Meanwhile, veteran Congress leader Digvijaya Singh said Baba Saheb Ambedkar was appointed chairman of the constitution drafting committee, and seven others were selected as members. 'Dr B N Rao, being given credit for making the Constitution, was not even a member of the Constitution-drafting committee. Being a lawyer, he was only nominated to support the committee... Where did this matter come from that Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar had no role in making the Indian Constitution? Why should the Baba Saheb's statue not be installed on the premises of Gwalior's Court, though it can be installed on Supreme Court premises? What is the reason? A party (BJP) running a double engine government and making tall talks on Baba Saheb but what is the reason for their silence on the issue.' Singh said. He further highlighted that the Congress would do whatever was needed to get Baba Saheb's statue installed on the campus of the Gwalior Bench of the state high court. They would also try to convince the group who is against the installation and also appeal to the court for the purpose. (ANI)
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Ambedkar row: State SC panel issues notice to Lalu
Patna: Bihar State Commission for Scheduled Castes has issued a notice to RJD chief Lalu Prasad , demanding a response within 15 days as to why a case under the SC/ST Atrocities Prevention Act should not be filed against him for allegedly disrespecting a photograph of Dr B R Ambedkar. The incident occurred during Lalu's birthday celebration on June 11. The letter, signed by commission vice-president Devendra Kumar on June 13, read, "You (Lalu) have insulted the photo of Constitution maker Baba Saheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar on your birthday, which is being continuously seen on social media. The insult of Baba Saheb has hurt the honour of not only one class but the entire country. Therefore, give an explanation within 15 days and tell why a case should not be registered against you under the Scheduled Castes, Tribes Atrocities Act. " The controversy arose from a viral video showing an RJD worker placing Ambedkar's picture as a gift on a table near Lalu's feet. Lalu neither acknowledged nor touched the photograph, nor made any comment. The BJP has strongly criticised the incident. In defence, Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, Lalu's son and former deputy chief minister, accused the BJP of levelling false accusations. "BJP has nothing to do with the principles and policies of Baba Saheb. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Eat 1 Teaspoon Every Night, See What Happens A Week Later [Video] getfittoday Undo Today, even at the age of 78, Laluji meets people for 10 hours. But those making allegations have no shame at all. BJP should learn that even at this age Laluji remains in touch with the public," he said. Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary wrote on X on Sunday, "It has been more than 36 hours since the video of Baba Saheb's insult came out. The whole of Bihar is hurt by that video, but not even two words of regret have come from RJD. Bihar has definitely seen the arrogance of Lalu's beloved son Tejashwi. Our question is that even after insulting Baba Saheb by keeping his photo near his feet, Lalu's son does not feel it is an insult, then after what other will RJD accept as an insult?" Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor also criticised Lalu and took a swipe at the Congress. "Rahul Gandhi says don't be afraid. Lalu had his feet in front of Baba Saheb's photo. If you have the courage, then show it by giving a statement on it," he said in Muzaffarpur on Sunday. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
